REPORT and RESOLUTIONS OF THE TWENTY ... - COMCEC

REPORT and RESOLUTIONS OF THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION

OF THE COMCEC

Istanbul, 22 - 25 November 2005

COMCEC Coordination Office Ankara, November 2005

Address: COMCEC Coordination Office Necatibey Cad. 108 Ankara-TURKEY Tel: 90-312-294 55 10 Tlfax: 90-312-294 55 77 Tlx: 4210 10 DPT TR Website: http://www.dpt.gov.tr e-mail: ftigli @ dpt.gov.tr

http://www.dpt.gov.tr

http://dpt.gov.tr

TABLE OF CONTENTS

P A R T O N E Page

RESOLUTIONS OF THE OIC FORMING THE BASIS AND GUIDING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC AND

COMMERCIAL COOPERATION OF THE OIC

I. Resolution adopted at the Third Islamic Summit Conference Establishing the Standing Committees of the OIC chaired by Heads of States 11

II. Final Communique of the Fourth Islamic Summit Conference Entrusting the Chairmanship of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation to the President of the Republic of Turkey 13

III. Resolution No. 30/10-E (IS) on the Activities of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) 15

P A R T TWO

LIST OF BASIC DOCUMENTS AND REPORT OF THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE

STANDING COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION

I. List of Basic Documents Considered and/or Presented at the Twenty-first Session of the COMCEC 29

II. Report of the Twenty-first Session of the COMCEC 35

3

Page

A N N E X E S

1. List of Participants of the Twenty-first Session of the COMCEC 49

2. The text of the inaugural address by H.E. Ahmet Necdet SEZER, President of the Republic of Turkey and Chairman of the COMCEC, at the Opening Session 79

3. The text of the address of H.E. Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin İHSANOĞLU, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, at the Opening Session 89

4. The text of the statement of H.E. Ahmed Mohammed ALI, the President of the Islamic Development Bank, at the Opening Session 103

5. The text of the speech of H.E. Shaikh Saleh Bin Abdullah KAMEL, the President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at the Opening Session 111

6. Agenda of the Twenty-first Session of the COMCEC 121

7. The text of presentation of H.E. Dr. Ahmet TIKTIK, Undersecretary of the State Planning Organization of the Republic of Turkey and the Chairman of the Senior Officials Meeting 131

8. Resolution (1) of the Twenty-first Session of the COMCEC 151

9. Resolution (2) on Matters Related to Economic Assistance to Some Countries 172

10. Recommendations of the Workshop on "Role of Tourism in the Promotion of Economic Cooperation among the OIC Member States" 175

4

Report of the Sessional Committee Meeting 191

12. The Report of the Special Session of the Trade Negotiating Committee 199

13. The text of the Protocol on Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC 207

14. The text of the Message by H.E. Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin İHSANOGLU, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference at the Closing Ceremony 219

15. The text of the Closing Statement of H.E. Assoc. Prof. Abdüllatif ŞENER, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey 225

5

PART ONE

RESOLUTIONS OF THE OIC FORMING THE BASIS AND GUIDING ACTIVITIES

OF THE COMCEC

I

RESOLUTION ADOPTED AT THE THIRD ISLAMIC SUMMIT CONFERENCE ESTABLISHING THE STANDING COMMITTEES

OF THE OIC CHAIRED BY HEADS OF STATE

Resolution No. 13/3-P (IS)

The Third Islamic Summit Conference (Palestine and Al-Quds Session), meeting in Mecca Al-Mukarramah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 19th to 22nd Rabi-Al-Awal, 1401 H. (25-28 January, 1981);

Having listened to the proposals by His Majesty King HASSAN II, Chairman of Al-Quds Committee, that three committees will be established and chaired by the Kings and Presidents of the Islamic States,

Proceeding from a firm belief that joint Islamic action needs to be consolidated in the scientific and technological field, and in the economic and trade sphere,

Prompted by the desire to give information and culture a fresh impetus to help world public opinion understand the basic issues of the Islamic nations, particularly those of Al- Quds and Palestine, and to confront the tendentious campaign launched against Islam and Muslims,

DECIDES:

1. To establish three Standing Committees, the first for scientific and technological cooperation, the second for economic and trade cooperation, and the third for information and cultural affairs;

2. These Committees shall undertake to follow up implementation of the resolutions passed, or about to be passed, by the Islamic Conference in those fields; to study all possible means of strengthening cooperation among Muslim States in those fields, and to draw up programmes and submit proposals designed to increase the Islamic States' capacity in those fields;

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3. Each Committee shall consist of the representatives often Islamic States, at ministerial level, and shall be chaired by the Head of State of an Islamic State;

4. Members of these Committees shall be elected by the Islamic Foreign Ministers' Conference for a renewable term of three years;

5. A Committee shall hold a meeting, if invited to do so by its Chairman or by a majority of its members; its meeting shall be valid if attended by a majority.

12

II

FINAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE FOURTH ISLAMIC SUMMIT CONFERENCE

ENTRUSTING THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL

COOPERATION TO H.E. KENAN EVREN, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

Final Communique No. IS/4-84/E/DEC

".... The Conference decided to entrust H.E. Mr. Kenan EVREN, President of the Republic of Turkey, with the Chairmanship of the Permanent Committee on Economic and Commercial Cooperation..." (Page 18, para 40).

Ill RESOLUTION NO. 30/10-E (IS) ON

ACTIVITIES UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC AND

COMMERCIAL COOPERATION (COMCEC)

The Tenth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference (Session of Knowledge and Morality for the Progress of Ummah) held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, from 20-21 Shaban 1424H (16-17 October 2003),

Recalling Resolution No. 31/9-E (IS) adopted by the Ninth Session of the

Islamic Summit Conference;

Also recalling Resolution No. 2/6-E (IS) of the Sixth Session of the Islamic

Summit Conference, held in Dakar, Republic of Senegal on 9-11 December

1991 on the activities of the COMCEC mandating it to formulate new

Strategies for the enhancement of the Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic

and Commercial Cooperation Among OIC Member States and to take

appropriate action for its implementation;

Recalling resolution No. 8/7-E(IS) of the Seventh Session of the Islamic

Summit Conference, held in Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco, from 11 to 13

Rajab 1415H (13-15 December 1994) which endorsed the Strategy and the

Plan of Action;

Recalling Resolution No. 30/30-E adopted by the Thirtieth Session of the

Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;

Recalling the resolutions of the Ministerial level meetings in different areas of

cooperation held under the auspices of the COMCEC;

Also recalling the resolutions adopted at the eighteenth previous sessions of the

COMCEC initiating effective action in economic cooperation among the

Member States, particularly in the area of trade;

Noting with appreciation the efforts of the General Secretariat, subsidiary

organs, affiliated and specialized institutions of OIC, working in the field of

economy and trade, to implement the resolutions of the COMCEC;

15

Noting with appreciation that the Strategy for Economic and Commercial

Cooperation adopted by the COMCEC allows for cooperation among sub

groups of Member States and is based on the principles giving emphasis to

private sector, economic liberali asation, integration with the world economy,

sanctity of the economic, political, legal and constitutional structures of the

Member States and their international obligations.

Also noting with appreciation that the revised Plan of Action is a general and

flexible policy document open for improvement during its implementation in

accordance with the provisions stipulated in its chapter on Follow-up and

Implementation.

Recognizing the importance for the Member States of the new economic

configurations emerging at the global level particularly from the creation of

regional economic groupings, signing of the Uruguay Round Agreements, and

creation of the World Trade Organization and its subsequent Agreements:

Appreciating that, starting with its Eleventh Session, COMCEC serves as a

platform where the Ministers of Economy of the Member States could

exchange views on current world economic issues and that the topics

"Implications of the Uruguay Round of trade Negotiations and the

Establishment of the World Trade Organization on the externa! trade v)f 0!C

Member States", "Privatization Experiences in Member States". "Implications

of Regional Economic Groupings particularly the European Union on the

Economies of Member States". "Intra-OIC Trade and Investment and

Economic Stabilisation and Structural Reforms in Member States'". "Human

Resource Development for Sustained Economic Growth and Poverty

Alleviation in the Member States of the OIC". "Strengthening of Small and

Medium-Sized Enterprises Facing Globalisation and Liberalisation" "The

Effects of Non-tariff Barriers on Foreign Trade of the Member Countries" and

"Private Sector Investment in the Member States and the Role of IDB" were the

themes for the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th 15th. 16th 17th and 18th Session-of

th; COMCEC, respectively;

Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General;

1. Stresses the need for COMCEC to continue to pay utmost attention to

coordination and cooperation among Member States with regard to the

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membership of new countries that wish to join the World Trade Organization, and to the clarification of positions on the new issues and agreements under consideration within the framework of the WTO with a view to strengthening the negotiating position of these countries at the forthcoming multilateral trade negotiations especially with respect to the built-in agenda and to the new ones.

2. Expresses satisfaction that the Islamic Development Bank has successfully carried out the mandate given by COMCEC to organise Coordination Meetings for Member States to consult among themselves and better prepare for the WTO Ministerial Meetings held in Singapore from 9 to 13 December 1996, in Geneva from 18-20 May 1998, in Seattle from 30 November to 03 December 1999, in Doha from 9-14 November, 2001 and in Cancun, Mexico from 10-14 September 2003 respectively with a view to assisting them to adopt a common stand regarding the issues raised in the Agenda of those meetings.

3. Thanks the ICDT and IDB for organising an expert group meeting before the Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference for the benefit of the Member States.

4. Thanks the IDB for organizing a brainstorming meeting for Geneva-based missions on 1-2 May 2003 and a consultative meeting on 27-28 July 2003 for capital-based officials in preparation for the 5th WTO Ministerial Conference.

5. Appreciates also the technical assistance programmes of the Islamic Development Bank to assist Member States which are either members of the WTO or in the process of accession to the Organization, and the role of the Bank in organizing for consultative meetings of Member States and the Seminars and Workshops it organizes for this purpose.

6. Appreciates the efforts of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry in organizing Private Sector Meetings as directed by the COMCEC for an effective implementation of the Plan of Action.

7. Underlines the crucial importance of the active participation of the private sector in economic cooperation among the Member States and appreciating the cooperation and productive support of IDB for all the events of ICO, calls upon ICCI to pursue its efforts to further involve the private sector in the economic cooperation among Member States.

17

8. Appreciates the Islamic Republic of Iran for holding the 10th Private Sector

Meeting on 4-6 October 2003 in Tehran in collaboration with ICCI and the Iran

Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines.

9. Notes with appreciation that the Regulations for the Islamic Trade Fair

which was prepared by the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, had been

adopted by the Eighteenth Session of the COMCEC.

10. Expresses its gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for hosting the Islamic

Trade Fair in Sharjah from 21 to 26 December 2002 on the theme: Free Trade

and Sustainable development, and expresses its appreciation for the

commendable efforts made by the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade

and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharjah for the success of the fair.

11. Also welcomes the offer of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce to host the

11th Private Sector Meeting in 2004 and the offer of Senegal to host the 13th

Private Sector Meeting in 2006. The offer to host the 12th Private Sector

Meeting into 2005 is awaited.

12. Further welcomes the offer of the Republic of Guinea to host the 10th

Islamic Trade Fair in 2004 and calls upon the Member States to actively

participate in the event.

13. Emphasizes the need to urgently implement the revised Plan of Action to

Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation Among Member States the

OIC, in compliance with the principles and operational modalities of the

Strategy and the procedures set forth in its chapter on Follow-up and

Implementation.

14. Stresses the importance of the recommendations of the Experts Group

Meeting for Accelerating the Implementation of the Plan of Action and requests

that measures be taken by the Member States to accelerate the implementation

of hese recommendations through appropriate mechanisms to be proposed by

the COMCEC Coordination Office in collaboration with the OIC General

Secretariat and the OIC institutions.

15. Takes notes of approval by the COMCEC of the Draft Project Profile Form

prepared by the COMCEC Coordination Office in pursuance of the relevant

18

recommendation of the Experts Group Meeting on Accelerating the

Implementation of the OIC Plan of Action and requests the Member States to

make use of it whenever they wish to submit project proposals within the

framework of the OIC Plan of Action.

16. Takes notes with appreciation also of the study by the COMCEC

Coordination Office, in cooperation with the OIC General Secretariat,

SESRTCIC, ICDT, IUT, IDB, ICCI and OISA in their capacity as focal points,

elaborating on the content and the terms of their possible assignment, in

pursuance of the relevant recommendation of the Experts Group Meeting

assigning mandate to the relevant OIC institutions to study, apprise and provide

the necessary financial and technical support to the cooperation projects to be

proposed, which will be finalized for submission to the 19th Session of

COMCEC.

17. Requests the Member States to communicate their views on the

supplementary Mechanism for implementation of the OIC Plan of Action which

was proposed and circulated by the COMCEC Coordination Office at their

earliest convenience so that it can be submitted to the 19th Session of

COMCEC.

18. Requests the Member States to take appropriate measures including

necessary cooperation, coordination and consultation among themselves to

make efforts with the required possible economic and technical support from

the developed countries, international community and relevant international

organizations and financial institutions to increase their food production

capacity with a view to arriving at national food security as well as enhancing

the purchasing power of their people.

19. Invites the Member States to host sectoral Expert Group Meetings in

priority areas of cooperation in the Plan of Action.

20. Welcomes the offer of the Arab Republic of Egypt to host two sectoral

Expert Group Meetings in the area of "Transport and Communications" and

"Food, Agriculture and Rural Development" of the Plan of Action.

21.Thanks the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the Third Islamic Conference of Ministers of Tourism on 6-9 October 2002 in Riyadh.

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22. Invites IDB to continue its active support in ensuring effective and urgent implementation of the revised Plan of Action.

23. Thanks the Republic of Senegal for the hosting of Seminar-Workshop in cooperation with IDB to familiarize the African member states with the Plan of Action, and recommends that similar seminars be held in other regions and sub-regions of OIC.

24. Recognizes that the Exchange of Views organized during the annual sessions of the COMCEC would be utilized to coordinate the positions of the Member States vis-a-vis major world economic issues.

25. Welcomes the offer of the government of the Republic of Sudan to host sectoral Expert Group Meeting on "Energy and Mining" and "Human Resources Development."

26. Thanks the Republic of Gabon for having organised a sub-regional seminar for the OIC States of Central and East Africa on "the role of IDB in the promotion of the private sector" in cooperation with IDB and the other concerned institutions of the OIC.

27. Thanks Burkina Faso for hosting a regional workshop on Industry for East, West and Central African OIC member states in cooperation with the IDB and other related OIC institutions.

28. Welcomes the offer of the Islamic Republic of Iran to host sectoral Expert Group Meeting in the area of Health and Sanitary Issues to be followed by a Ministerial meeting on the same topic.

29. Thanks the Republic of Turkey for hosting the Experts Group of Meeting on Accelerating the implementation of the Plan of Action, which was held on 6-7 May 2001 in Istanbul.

30. Welcomes the offer of the Republic Tunisia to host an experts group meeting on "Promoting the Activities of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises" in the field of production and exports.

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31. Notes with satisfaction that the Framework Agreement on Trade

Preferential System entered into force upon its ratification by more than ten

Member States as required under the Agreement, and welcomes the offer of the

Republic of Turkey to host the first round of negotiations to be held under the

Framework Agreement.

32. Thanks the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting of an

Experts Group Meeting to prepare the Launching of the First Trade

Negotiations Round within the Framework Agreement on the Trade Preferential

System Among the OIC Member States held in Casablanca on 24-26 June,

2003 and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade and the COMCEC

Coordination Office for organizing it and preparing the necessary documents in

this regard.

33. Calls upon the concerned Member States to actively take part in the first

round of trade negotiation under the Framework Agreement on Trade

Preferential System.

34. Welcomes the proposal made by the WTO during the meeting of policy

dialogue between the WTO and the representatives of six major regional

development banks, including IDB, which was held at the WTO Headquarters

in Geneva, on 3 May 2003, that the regional development banks convene policy

dialogues of trade and finance ministers at the regional level, to which the

WTO and the World Bank may also be invited.

35. Also welcomes the resolutions of the 18th Session of the COMCEC which

expresses the view that the above policy dialogue meeting of the OIC ministers

responsible for trade and finance could be convened in conjunction with the

sessions of the COMCEC.

36. Welcomes the offer of Indonesia to host an International Workshop on

Employment and Manpower Exchange.

37. Welcomes the offer of Arab Republic of Egypt to host an OIC Ministerial

Meeting to promote intra-OIC trade.

38. Thanks IDB for organizing a Workshop on "Private Sector Investment in

the Member States and the Role of IDB" on 14-16 September 2002 in Istanbul

21

in collaboration with related OIC institutions; and also thanks the Republic of

Turkey for hosting the Workshop.

39. Welcomes the decision taken by the 18th Session of the COMCEC that

"Impact of Electronic Commerce and the use of Information Technology in the

Promotion and Development of Intra-OIC Trade" be the theme for the

exchange of views at the 19th Session of the COMCEC.

40. Thanks the Republic of Tunisia for hosting the workshop on "Impact of

Electronic Commerce and the Use of Information Technology in the Promotion

and Development of Intra-OIC Trade" on 10-12 June. 2003 in Tunis in

collaboration with SESRTCIC, ICDT, IUT and other relevant OIC institutions

as a preparation for the exchange of views session to be held during the 19th

session of COMCEC.

41. Notes with appreciation that the 19th Session of the COMCEC will be

held from 20-23 October, 2003 in Istanbul under the chairmanship of the

President of the Republic of Turkey and calls upon the Member States to

effectively and actively participate in the meeting.

42. Takes notes of the initiative of ICCI on forming a working group

comprised of the General Secretariat, the COMCEC Coordination Office. IDB.

ICCI, SESRTCIC and ICDT, as the focal point assuming the responsibilities of

the monitoring mechanism to implement the recommendations of the private

sector meetings.

43. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this

resolution and submit a report thereon to the Eleventh Session of the Islamic

Summit Conference.

22

PART TWO

LIST OF BASIC DOCUMENTS AND REPORT OF THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE

FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE

ISLAMIC CONFERENCE

I

LIST OF BASIC DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED AND/OR PRESENTED AT THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION

OF THE COMCEC

(Istanbul, 22-25 November 2005)

OIC/COMCEC/21 -05/LD

LIST OF BASIC DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED AND/OR PRESENTED AT THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION

OF THE COMCEC


Document Code

1. Agenda of the Twenty-first Session of the COMCEC ... OIC/COMCEC/21 -05/A

2. Background Report by the OIC General Secretariat OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(l)

3. Annual Economic Report on the OIC Countries by SESRTCIC OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(2)

4. Report by SESRTCIC on Developments in the International Financial Architecture OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(3)

5. Report of the Twenty-first Meeting of the Follow-up Committee OIC/COMCEC-FC/21-05/REP

6. Report by the OIC General Secretariat on the Review of the Implementation of the Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation Among OIC Member States OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(4)

7. Joint Report by SESRTCIC and ICDT on the Developments in the Promotion of Cooperation Among OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(5) Stock Exchanges of the OIC Member Countries

8. Report by IDB on the Expansion of Intra-Trade Among OIC Member Countries OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(6)

9. ICDT's Annual Report on Trade Between the Member States of OIC 2005 OIC/COMCEC/21-05/D(7)

10. Report of the Fourth Meeting of the Trade Negotiating OIC/COMCEC/21 -05/ Committee TNC/04-05/REP

11. Report of the Special Session of the Trade Negotiating Committee OIC/COMCEC/21-05ATNC.REP

12. Protocol on Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC (PRETAS) OIC/COMCEC/21-05/PRETAS

13. Report on IDB Group's WTO Related Technical Assistance to the OIC Member Countries by IDB OIC/COMCEC/21-05/D(8)

29


Document Code

14. Report on the Issues Relating to the Activities of the WTO by ICDT OIC/COMCEC/21 -05/D(9)

15. Report by ICCI on the Private Sector Meetings among the OIC Member Countries OIC/COMCEC/2l-05/D( 10)

16. Brief Report by ICCI on the Activities of the ICCI OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(l 1)

17. Report and Recommendations of the OIC Trade Forum

and Trade Exhibition by Malaysia OIC/COMCEC/2l-05/D( 12)

18. Malaysian Halal Standard by Malaysia OIC/COMCEC/21 -05/D( 13)

19. Declaration of the Inaugural World Islamic Economic Forum OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D( 14)

20. Reports by ICDT on Trade Fairs of Islamic Countries ... OlC/COMCEC/21-05/D(15)

21. Report of the Workshop on "The Role of Tourism in the Promotion of Economic Cooperation Among the OIC Member States" by ICDT OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D( 16)

22. Evaluation and Follow-up of the Outcomes of the OIC Economic Conference by COMCEC Coordination Office OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D( 17)

23. Capacity Building for Poverty Alleviation in Least Developed and Low-income OIC Member States by OIC General Secretariat OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(18)

24. Final Communique of the Third Senior Official Meeting of the Steering Committee on Capacity Building Programme for the OIC Countries OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D( 19)

25. Report by the OIC General Secretariat on Matters

Related to Economic Assistance to Some Islamic States OIC/COMCEC/21 -05/D(20)

26. Report of the Sessional Committee OIC/COMCEC/21-05/Sc.Rep

27. Final Communique of the OIC Economic Conference ... OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(21) 28. Report of the Sectoral Expert Groups Meeting on the

Implementation of the OIC Plan of Action in the Area of Tourism OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(22)

29. Report of the Fourth Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers by OIC General Secretariat OIC/COMCEC/21 -05/D(23)

30


Document Code

30. Report of the Round Table Meeting on Promotion of Cooperation Among Stock Exchanges of the Organization of Islamic Conference of Member States OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(24)

31. Pre-Feasibility Study on Determining the Need for Regional Air Craft by TAI OIC/COMCEC/2l-05/D(25)

32. Project Proposal on the Establishment of Energy Technology Network Among OIC Members by Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey OIC/COMCEC/21 -05/D(27)

33. Low-Cost Imaging Based Mapping System Development for Monitoring of Natural and Anthropogenic Changes in OIC Member Countries' Coasts by TÜBİTAK OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(28)

34. Project Proposal by Turkey on Technical Cooperation Between Patent Offices in the OIC Member Countries by Turkish Patent Institute OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(29)

35. SATCM and LEORBS Projects by TURKS AT OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(30)

36. Country Reports and/or Written Presentations on the "Role of Tourism in the Promotion of Economic Cooperation Among OIC Member Countries" OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/CR( )

Jordan State of Kuwait Sultanate of Oman Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Republic of Tunisia Republic of Turkey Iran Kazakhstan Cameron Bosnia-Herzegovina

31

II

REPORT OF THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION

OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION OF THE ORGANIZATION

OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE


OIC/COMCEC/21 -05/REP

Original: English

REPORT OF THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE STANDING

COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION OF THE OIC


1. The Twenty-first Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and

Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference

(COMCEC) was held in Istanbul, from 22 to 25 November 2005.

2. The Meeting of Senior Officials of COMCEC that preceded the Session

on 22-23 November 2005 was held under the Chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Ahmet

TIKTIK, Undersecretary of the State Planning Organization of the Republic of

Turkey, to consider items of the Draft Agenda and prepare Draft Resolutions

for consideration by the Ministerial Session.

3. The Session was attended by the representatives of the following

Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC):

1. 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan

Republic of Albania

Peoples Democratic Republic of Algeria

Republic of Azerbaijan

Kingdom of Bahrain

People's Republic of Bangladesh

Brunei Darussalam

Republic of Cameroon

Union of Comoros

Republic of Cote d'lvoire

Arab Republic of Egypt Republic of Gambia Republic of Guinea

Republic of Indonesia

Islamic Republic of Iran Republic of Iraq

35


17. Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

18. Republic of Kazakhstan

19. State of Kuwait

20. Kyrgyz Republic

21. Republic of Lebanon

22. Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

23. Malaysia

24. Republic of Maldives

25. Republic of Mali

26. Kingdom of Morocco

27. Republic of Mozambique

28. Federal Republic of Nigeria

29. Sultanate of Oman

30. Islamic Republic of Pakistan

31. Palestinian National Authority

32. State of Qatar

33. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

34. Republic of Senegal

35. Republic of Sierra Leone

36. Democratic Republic of Somalia

37. Republic of Sudan

38. Republic of Suriname

39. Syrian Arab Republic

40. Republic of Tajikistan

41. Republic of Tunisia

42. Republic of Turkey

43. Republic of Turkmenistan

44. Republic of Uganda

45. State of the United Arab Emirates

46. Republic of Uzbekistan

47. Republic of Yemen

4. Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Central African Republic, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Thailand

participated in the Session as observers and the Republic of Macedonia as guest.

36


5. The OIC General Secretariat and the following subsidiary organs, specialized and affiliated OIC institutions attended the Session:

1. Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRTCIC)

2. Islamic Center for Development of Trade (ICDT)

3. Islamic University of Technology (IUT)

4. Islamic Research Center for History, Culture and Art (IRCICA)

5. Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

6. Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICO)

7. Islamic Shipowner Association (OISA)

6. Representatives of the following international organizations attended the Session as well:

1. Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) 2. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) 3. Developing Eight (D-8) 4. Federation of Consultants from Islamic Countries (FCIC) 5. Federation of Islamic Countries' Contractors (FICC)

6. Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit

(ICIEC)

(A copy of the List of Participants of the Twenty-First Session of the

COMCEC is attached as Annex 1).

Opening Session

7. The Opening Ceremony of the Twenty-first Session of COMCEC was held on 24 November 2005 under the chairmanship of H.E. Ahmet Necdet SEZER, President of the Republic of Turkey and Chairman of the COMCEC.

8. In his inaugural statement, H.E. Ahmet Necdet SEZER, in welcoming

the delegates, expressed his pleasure for being once again with the

representatives of the Member States of the OIC at the 21st Session of

37


COMCEC. H.E. SEZER drew attention to the fact that the Organization of

Islamic Conference was the second biggest political organization worldwide in

terms of population and geographical size just next to the United Nations.

President SEZER expressed his satisfaction that the First Round of the Trade

Negotiations had successfully been concluded and the Protocol on Preferential

Tariff Scheme for TPSOIC finalized for signing by the Member States. He also

pointed out the role of tourism in promoting the economic welfare of the OIC

Member States. Regarding the recent earthquake in Pakistan, H.E President

SEZER, extended his condolences to the Pakistani people and called upon the

Member States and international community to continue to support Pakistan by

increasing their aid efforts. He concluded his statement by wishing success and

fruitful results for the 21 s t Session of the COMCEC.

(A copy of the text of the Inaugural Statement of H.E. Ahmet Necdet

SEZER is attached as Annex 2).

9. H.E. Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin İHSANOĞLU, Secretary General of OIC

made a statement at the Opening Session. He expressed his deep appreciation

to H.E. Mr. Ahmet Necdet SEZER, President of the Republic of Turkey and the

Chairman of the COMCEC, for his kind support and keen interest in the

activities of the COMCEC. He extended his condolences to the Pakistani

people for the recent earthquake and urged the OIC Member States to show

solidarity with Pakistan and its people affected by the earthquake. He also

expressed his hope that this Session would significantly contribute to the

economic and commercial cooperation among the OIC countries.

(A copy of the address of H.E Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin İHSANOĞLU,

Secretary General of the OIC is attached as Annex 3).

10. The Heads of Delegations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic

of Cameroon, and the Republic of Azerbaijan made statements on behalf of

the Arab, African, and Asian groups of Member States, respectively.

Extending their thanks to the Republic of Turkey for its hospitality extended on

the occasion of the 21 s t Session of the COMCEC, they stressed the importance

of the signing and ratifying the Protocol on Preferential Tariff Scheme that was

adopted by the Special Session of the Trade Negotiating Committee and

thereafter by the 21 s t Session of the COMCEC. They also stressed the role of

38

OIC/COMCEC/21-05/REP

the COMCEC in the development of the African Member States of the OIC. They stated that the OIC Community has enough financial and economic resources, which if mobilized through increasing cooperation among them, could well increase the level of living standards within the Community.

11. H.E. Ahmed Mohammed ALI, the President of the Islamic Development Bank, also addressed the Opening Session. H.E. ALI gave a summary of developments related to the various activities of the IDB. He stated that fruitful cooperation between COMCEC and IDB has continued. The President informed the audience that IDB has maintained its long-term credit rating of AAA and short-term of A -1 +, according to Standard & Poor's, for the third consecutive year.

(The text of the Statement of the President of IDB is attached as Annex 4).

12. H.E. Shaikh Saleh Bin Abdullah KAMEL, the President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICO), also made a statement, in which he analyzed the obstacles before the development of the Islamic Countries and offered some practical solutions to them. H.E. Shaikh Saleh Kamel shared his vision of how to develop economic cooperation among the Islamic Countries with the participants of the Session of the COMCEC, and he called upon the OIC Community to act promptly towards this end because waiting meant losing.

(The text of the speech of the President of ICCI is attached as Annex 5).

13. Following the Opening Ceremony, H.E. Ahmet Necdet SEZER received the Heads of Delegation.

Ministerial Working Session

14. The Ministerial Working Session of the Twenty-First COMCEC was held on 24 November 2005, under the Chairmanship of H.E. Assoc. Prof. Abdiillatif ŞENER, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey.

39


15. The Session expressed deep condolences at the demise of King Fahad Ibn Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, one of the preeminent leaders of the Islamic World and Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, and wished mercy for him from Allah Almighty.

16. The Session adopted the Draft Agenda of the Twenty-First Session of

the COMCEC.

(The Agenda of the Session is attached as Annex 6).

17. A signing ceremony was held. The Heads of Delegations of Arab Republic of Egypt, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Turkey signed the Protocol on Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC (PRETAS).

18. The COMCEC took note of the request by the representative of the Republic of Cameroon that his country be given the LDC status within the framework of the TPS-OIC.

19. The representative of Egypt briefed the Session on the activities undertaken by his government in relation to cooperation with OIC countries on poverty alleviation, and also informed that his country was having consultations with the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) organize a Plenary Meeting on the Second Generation of Poverty Reduction Strategies, to in Cairo, in the spring of 2006.

20. An Exchange of Views on "Role of Tourism in the Promotion of Economic Cooperation among the OIC Member States" was held under agenda item 9. H.E. Dr. Ahmet TIKTIK, Undersecretary of the State Planning Organization of the Republic of Turkey and the Chairman of the Senior Officials Meeting, made a brief presentation regarding the outcome of the deliberations of the senior officials on "Role of Tourism in the Promotion of Economic Cooperation among the OIC Member States".

(The text of presentation of H.E. TIKTIK is attached as Annex 7).

21. In the Exchange of Views Session, the Heads of Delegations of the

United Arab Emirates, the State of Kuwait, the Republic of Iraq, the Republic

of Tunisia, the Republic of Guinea, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab

40


Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Cameroon, the Sultanate of Oman, the

Republic of Lebanon, the Republic of Turkey, the Kingdom of Morocco, the

Kyrgyz Republic, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Islamic

Republic of Iran made presentations on the developments of the tourism sector

in their respective countries.

(Country reports on the subject submitted in writing are available

separately).

22. The Session thanked the Republic of Turkey for having successfully

organized the First Tourism Fair of the OIC Member States in conjunction with

the 21st Session of COMCEC.

23. The Session then adopted Resolution OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/RES(l) and

Resolution OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/RES(2).

(Resolution OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/RES(l) and Resolution OIC/

COMCEC/21-05/RES(2) are attached as Annexes 8 and 9, within the context of

the Resolution (1);

- Recommendations of the Workshop on "Role of Tourism in the Promotion of Economic Cooperation among the OIC Member States" is attached as Annex 10).

24. The Session also adopted the Report OIC/COMCEC/21-05/Sc.Rep. of

the 7th Sessional Committee, which was held on 21 November, 2005.

(The Report OIC/COMCEC/21-05/Sc.Rep. of the Sessional Committee is attached as Annex 11).

The Special Session of the Trade Negotiating Committee

25. The Trade Negotiating Committee set up under the Framework

Agreement on Trade Preferential System among the Member Countries of the

OIC (TPS-OIC) held a special session on the sidelines of the 21st Session of the

COMCEC, in Istanbul, Turkey, on 23 November 2005.

41


26. The Protocol on Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC (PRETAS),

was finalized by the Trade Negotiating Committee and submitted to the 21 s t

Session of the COMCEC for adoption.

(The Report of the Special Session of the Trade Negotiating Committee

and the text of the PRETAS are attached as Annex 12 and Annex 13

respectively).

Closing Session

27. The Closing Session of the Twenty-First Session of the COMCEC was

held on 25 November 2005 under the chairmanship of H.E. Assoc. Prof.

Abdüllatif ŞENER, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State of the

Republic of Turkey.

28. H.E. Syed Iftikhar Hussain SHAH, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic

of Pakistan to Turkey and Rapporteur of the Meeting, presented the Resolutions

adopted at the Ministerial Session. In his presentation H.E. SHAH summarized

the proceedings of the Drafting Committee highlighting some of the points of

agreement.

29. H.E. Mr. Oker GÜRLER, Director of Economic Affairs Department of

OIC General Secretariat, read out the message of H.E. Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin

İHANOGLU, the Secretary General of OIC. In his message H.E.

İHS ANOGLU, expressed his deep appreciation for the adoption of the Protocol

on the Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC (PRETAS). In this connection,

he also invited all Member States to sign and ratify the Framework Agreement

on TPS-OIC and PRETAS, who have not yet done so.

(The text of the Message by H.E. Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin İHSANOĞLU, is attached as Annex 14).

30. H.E. Mr. Muhammed AZAM, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Commerce

of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan made a statement on behalf of all

participating Member States, in which he thanked H.E. Ahmet Necdet SEZER,

the President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Assoc. Prof. Abdüllatif ŞENER,

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey, the

42


OIC General Secretariat, and all the concerned parties contributing to the work of the Session.

31. H.E. Assoc. Prof. Abdüllatif ŞENER, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey, also made a statement at the Closing Session. H.E. Assoc. Prof. ŞENER. He concluded his statement by expressing his feelings of deep gratitude to all delegations which had contributed to the success of the 21 s t Session of the COMCEC.

(The text of the Closing Statement of H.E. ŞENER is attached as Annex 15).

32. At the signing ceremony held during the Closing Session, the representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain signed the Framework Agreement on TPS-OIC, and the representative of the Republic of Tunisia signed the Protocol on the Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC.

43

A N N E X E S

ANNEX

1

Annex 1 to OIC/COMCEC/21 -05/REP

Original: English

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS OF THE TWENTY FIRST SESSION OF THE COMCEC

(Istanbul, 22 - 25 November 2005)

A. MEMBER STATES OF THE OIC

TRANSITIONAL ISLAMIC STATE OF AFGHANISTAN

-H.E. Dr. MOHAMMAD AMİN FARHANG Minister of Economy

-H.E. SAYEED MAKHDOOM RAHEEN Minister of Information, Tourism and Cultural

REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA

-Mr. ALMA GJERAZI Head of Department at the Ministry of Tourism. Culture, Youth and Sport

PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA

-H.E. EL HACHEMI DJAABOUB Minister of Trade

-H.E. SMAIL ALLAOUA Ambassador of Algeria to Turkey

-Mr. CHERIF ZAAF General Director for Foreign Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Mr. KHEIREDDINE RAMOUL Deputy Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

- Mr. LARBI LATROCH Consul General, Istanbul

-Mr. EL HADJ MEKHLOUFI Ministry of Trade

REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

-H.E. EBULFEZ QARAYEV Minister of Youth, Sport and Tourism

-Mr. AYDIN ISMIYEV Ministry of Youth, Sport and Tourism

49

Annex 1 to OIC/COMCEC/21-05/REP

KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

-H.E. SHAIKH AHMED BIN MOHAMMED AL-KHALIFA Minister of Finance

-Mr. MAHMOOD HASHIM AL KOOHEJI Asst. Undersecretary for Economic Affairs Ministry of Finance

-Mr. MOHAMMED GHASSAN SHAIKHO Director of International Organizations Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-SHAIKH FERAS BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL KHALIFA Senior Economist Ministry of Finance

-Mr. ABDUL HAKIM BU HIJJI First Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Mr. MOHAMMED AMİN HULAIWAH Director, Minister's Office Ministry of Finance

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH

-H.E. MAJOR GENERAL REZAQUL HAIDER Ambassador of Bangladesh to Turkey

-Mr. ELIS AHMED Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce

-Dr. MOSTAFA ABID KHAN Deputy Chief, Bangladesh Tariff Commission

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

-Mr. PEHIN DATO HUSIN BIN AHMAD Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Jordan

-Mr. HAKASHAH BIN ABD SAMAD Second Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON

-H.E. LUC MAGLOIRE MBARGA ATANGANA Minister of Commerce

50


-Mr. BOUBAAOUSSINE Deputy Director for the Commercial Exchanges, Ministry of Trade

-Mr. ABANCHIME LIMANGANA Chief of the Sen/ice for the Specialized Institutions of OIC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

- Ms. MBAJON MARTHE CHANTAL Charge of mission, President's Office

-Ms. MALATEN HELEN Attache

UNION OF COMOROES

-Ms. FATIMA BADRANI ABDALLAH Charge Economic Integration

REPUBLIC OF COTE DWOIRE

-H.E ArnD. AMIDOL) DIARRA Dneclor General of Asici IVloyen-Oneni Döpart<T<ant, Ministry uf Foreign Aîfaifs

-H.E. HAMZA SALLAH Ambassador of Cote d'ivoire to Riyadh

-Mr. LANCINE SANOGO Director of Economic and Commercial Development Organization, Ministry of Commerce

-Mr. KOUASSI AUGUSTE DANIEL KOUAKAN Expert, Asia Moyen-Orient Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

-H.E. Dr. MAHMOUD MOHIE EL DIN Minister of Investment

-Mr. ELHUSENIY MUHAMMAD AFWAT Acting Minister of Tourism

-H.E. OMAR METWALLY Ambassador of Egypt to Turkey

-H.E. ASHRAF ABOUL SEOUD Consul General, Istanbul

51


-Ms. MRAVET MUHAMMED ABDELLA Director General, Ministry of Tourism

-Mr. MOHAMED SALAMA Commercial Consul, Egyptian Commercial Office, Istanbul

-Mr. AMR RAMADAN Counselor, Director, Division for International Economic Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Ms. ABEER KAMAL Deputy Commercial Consul, Egyptian Commercial Office, Istanbul

-Ms. MANAL ABDEL TAWAB Commercial Consul, Egyptian Commercial Office, Istanbul

-Mr. TAREK AHMET M. EL MELIGY Deputy Commercial Consul, Egyptian Commercial Office, Istanbul

-Mr. EHAB FATHY Head of Division, Trade Agreements Sector, Ministry of Trade and Industry

-Mr. AHMED ROSTOM Researcher, Ministry of Investment

REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA

-H.E. ALHAGIE KELUNTANG O.K. CAMARA Charge d'Affaires of Gambia Embassy in Riyadh

REPUBLIC OF GUINEA

-Mr. SENY CAMARA Head of Section, Ministry of Commerce

-Ms. SALL HADJA FATOUMATA Chief of Cabinet of Ministry of Tourism

-Mr. ORHAN ARGUN Honorary Consul, Istanbul

-Mr. EMIR ARGUN Assistant of Honorary Consul, Istanbul

52


REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

-H.E. AMİN RIANOM Ambassador of Indonesia to Turkey

-Mr. R.TOTO WASPODO Counselor, Indonesia Embassy

-Mr. SYAMSUL LUSSA Director of Market Development, Department of Culture and Tourism

-Mr. AHMAD MULIA KARNIIDA Deputy Director of Services Industry, Department of Foreign Affairs

-Mr. ROHMANA Deputy Director of Multilateral Cooperation Department of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

-H.E. RAHİM MESHAI Deputy President of Republic of Iran President of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Authority

-Mr. SAYED ALIREZA SAJADPOUR Asst. President of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Authority

-Mr. HOSSEIN HATEFI FARMED Advisor.of President of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Authority

-Mr. BALI TEYMOURI Expert for International Relations, Cultural Heritage and Tourism Authority

-Ms. MINA RAHANI ESFAHANI Expert, Cultural Heritage and Tourism Authority

- Mr. MEHRDAD MUHAMMEDİ Expert, Protocol Relations

REPUBLIC OF IRAQ

-H.E ABDUL BASET KAREEM Minister of Trade

-Mr. MOHANAD AHMAD SALEH Director General, Ministry of Trade

53


-Mr. SHAKER MAHMOOD BANDAR Third Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Mr. EMAD ALDIN I. AHMAD Commercial Counselor, Iraq Embassy

-Mr. SABAH NOAMAN Manager, Ministry of Tourism

-Mr. VEENOS NYAZI TABE Official Secretary, Ministry of Trade

-Mr. KHANSA CHASEB MOHSEN Secretary, Ministry of Trade

HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN

-H.E. Dr. TAYSEER SMADI Minister of State

-H.E. Dr. ALİA BOURAN Minister of Tourism and Antiquities

-Dr. MUNTASER AL-UQLAH Secretary General, Ministry of Industry and Trade

-Mr. HISHAM AL ABBADI Director Genera, Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

-Mr. FAYEQ AL- NAQRASH Head of Regional Organization Section, Foreign Trade Policy and Relations Dept. Ministry of Industry and Trade

-Mr. MUNIREID Tariffs and Agreements Dept. Jordanian General Custom Dept.

-Ms. NARIMAN AL MANASEER International Relations Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

-Mr. ABUTALİP AKHMETOV Consul General, Istanbul

-Mr. ZHALEL SHAIMERGENOV Consul of the Consulate General, Istanbul

54


-Mr. KAIRBEK USKENBAYEV Chairman, Trade Tourism Committee

STATE OF KUWAIT

-H.E. BADER MISHARL AL-HUMAIDHI Minister of Finance

-H.E. ABDULLAH AL-DUWAIKH Ambassador of Kuwait to Turkey

-H.E. SHEIKH FAHAD SALIM AL-SABAH Consul General, Istanbul

-Mr. MUSTAFA JASSIM AL-SHEMALI Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance

- Mr. BADER MOHAMED AL-SAAD Managing Director, Kuwait Investment Authority

- Mr. EMAD THUNIYAN AL-MAJED Regional Manager Central, East & South African Countries Operation Dept. Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development

-Mr. ISHAQ ABDELGANI ABDULKARIM Managing Director, International Economic Cooperation Department Ministry of Finance

-Mr. AHMED HAMOUD AL-GHUWAINEM Assistant Director in the Minister's Office, Ministry of Finance

-Mr. WALEED BADER AL-QENAIE Controller, Minister's Office Department, Ministry of Finance

-Mr. RAED AL-THERBAN Second Secretary at the Consulate General, Istanbul

-Mr. ANAS AL-SHAHEEN Third Secretary at the Kuwait Embassy

- Mr. Waled AL-BAHAR Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Devlopment

-Mr. SAAD MOHAMMAD AL-RASHIDI Economic Researcher, Ministry of Finance

55

Annex 1 to OIC/COMCEC/21-05/REP -Ms. HIND KHALIL BU HAMRA Economic Researcher, Ministry of Finance

KYRGHYZ REPUBLIC

-Mr. TURSUNBEK MAMAŞEV Deputy Minister of Tourism

-Mr. AZAMAR SOPUBEKOV Third Secretary of Ambassador

REPUBLIC OF LEBANON

-H.E. GEORGES SIAM Ambassador of Lebanon to Turkey

-Ms. NADA SARDOUK Director General, Ministry of Tourism

-Mr. TANNOUS AOUN Consul General, Lebanon Embassy

-Mr. TAREK SABEH Responsible of the Arab Tourism, Ministry of Tourism

GREAT SOCIALIST PEOPLE'S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

-H.E. Dr. ABDULKADIR O. ELKHAIR Minister of Economy and Trade

-Dr. ASHUR M. EBAIS Ministry of Economy and Trade

-Mr. RAMADAN A. MANSUR President of Zawia Chamber of Industry and Commerce

-Mr. AHMED A. ABUBAKER Consul General, Istanbul

-Mr. ISAM SALIM MALHUF Ministry of Trade

-Mr. BASHIRAL-KADDAFI Chief of Cabinet

- Mr. SAID IBRAHIM SALEM Directorate of Custom

56


-Mr. TAREK SAID ABOOKABTA Representative of Ministry of Tourism

MALAYSIA

-Mr. MOHAMED SHAHABAR ABDUL KAREEM Director of Bilateral Regional Relation, Ministry of International Trade and Industry

-Ms. NORAZAH HJ. ABDUL JABBAR Assistant Director, Ministry of International Trade, Industry

-Ms. HANUM AMRAN Second Counselor, Malaysia Embassy

-Mr. CHE HASSAN PAHMI HJ. CHE MAMAT Director, Islamic Development Department

-Mr. ALEX RAJAKUMAR Principal Assistant Secretary, International Unit, Tourism Division Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia

REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES

- Mr. IBRAHIM SAPAN ATAN Honorary Vice Consul, Istanbul

REPUBLIC OF MALI

-H.E. NAKOUNTE DIAKITE Ambassador of Mali in Riyadh

-Mr. AHIMIDI SAMAKE DAOUDA Premier Counselor, Embassy of Mali

KINGDOM OF MOROCCO

-H.E. ABDALLAH ZAGOUR Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Turkey

-Mr. SALAH OUKHAY First Counselor of the Embassy

-Mr. MOHAMED CHAKIB BENELMALIH Economic Counselor in the Embassy

57

Annex 1 to 0IC/C0MCEC/21 -05/REP

MOZAMBIQUE

-Dr. LUIS EDUARDO SHOE National Director of International Relations Ministry of Industry and Trade

-Mr. EDUARDO ALEXANDRE Director of Planning and Development, Ministry of Mineral Resources

-Ms. MARIA DE LURDES PALE Second Secretary and Desk Officer of OIC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

FEDERALREPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

-H.E. ADAMU AJUJI WAZIRI Ambassador of Nigeria to Turkey

-H.E. IBRAHIM MUSA KAZAURE Ambassador of Nigeria in Riyadh

-Mr. IBUKUN ADELEKE OLATIDOYE Minister Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Nigeria

-Mr. AHMED MANZO Officer of the Embassy of Nigeria in Riyadh

-Mr. AHMED SULE Officer of the Embassy of Nigeria in Riyadh

-Dr. Y.N. OBAFEMI Director External Trade

-Mr. LA. AHMED Principal Comm. Officer

SULTANATE OF OMAN

-H.E. Dr. ABDULMALIK BIN ABDULLAH AL-HINAI Minister r; National Economy

-H.E. MOHAMMED BIN NASSER AL-WOHAIBI Ambassador of Oman to Turkey

-Mr. AL-MOATASIM BIN HİLAL AL-HOSNI Economic Researcher, Ministry of National Economy

-Mr. SHAIKAN BIN ZAHİR AL-HANAI Head of Arab and Islamic Organizations Section, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

58


ISLAMIC REPUBLIQUE OF PAKISTAN

-H.E. HAMID YAR HIRAJ Minister of State for Commerce

-H.E. SYED IFTIKHAR HUSSAIN SHAH Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey

-Mr. MUHAMMED RIAZ Consul General of Pakistan, Istanbul

-Mr. MUHAMMAD AZAM Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce

-Ms. SEEMA SHAFIQUE KHAN Section Officer

-Mr. YUSUF ALI Assistant to the Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey

PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY

-Dr. JAWWAD NAJI HIRZILLAH Deputy Minister of National Economy

-Mr. ABDULKARIM ALKHATIB Counselor, Istanbul

-Mr. ALI ABU SOROR Director General

-Mr. ABDULSALAM ASIA General Director

-Mr. NABEEL ALSARRAJ Tourism Counselor, Ankara

STATE OF QATAR

-Mr. SEOUD JASSIM AL-JUFAIRI Director of Economic Affairs Department Ministry of Economy and Commerce

-H.E. MOHAMED ISMAIL AL-EMADI Charge d'Affaires, Qatar Embassy, Ankara

-Mr. ABDULAZIZ ABDULLA TORKI AL-SUBAIE Advisor of Gulf Cooperation Council

59


-Mr. ABDUL AZIZ EMADI Vice President, Qatar Chamber of Commerce

-Mr. ABRAHIM FAKHROO Director General, Qatar Chamber of Commerce

-Mr. HASSAN ABBALLAH AL-MUHANNADI Researcher, Ministry of Economy and Commerce

-Mr. AHMAD MOHAMAD AL-MARZOUQI Researcher, Ministry of Economy and Commerce

-Mr. DAVID GARNER Marketing Manager

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

-H.E. Dr. HASHIM BIN ABDULLAH YAMANI Minister of Commerce and Industry

-H.E. Dr. MUHAMMED RAJA AL HUSSAINI AL SHARIF Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Turkey

-Mr. ABDULLAH ABDUL RAHMAN AL HAMOUDI Undersecretary for Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

-Mr. MOHAMAD J. HASHIM General Counselor, Istanbul

-Mr. ABDULLAH BIN ABDULWAHAB AL-NAFISAH Director General of Arab and Islamic Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

-Mr. KALD AKBAR Ministry of Commerce and Industry

-Mr. MOHAMMED BIN ABDULLAH ABDUL DAYM International Economic Relation Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Mr. ABDUL AZIZ BIN SALİH AL-GHARIB International Cooperation Department,

-Mr. ABDULLAH BIN MOHAMMED AL-LAHEM Specialist at the Ministry of Finance

-Mr. ABDULLAH BIN RASHID ALSEFIAN Secretary of Minister of Commerce and Industry

60


-Mr. ABDULAZIZ BIN SAAD ELJABRI Foreign Trade Department, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

-Mr. HUSSAIN BIN EYD AL-RASHEED Economic Specialist, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

-Mr. MOHAMAD BIN ATIK AL JARID Economic Specialist, Ministry of Finance

-Mr. MOHAMMED BARRI Counsellor, Embassy

REPUBLIC OF SENEGAL

-Mr. M. OMAR TIDIANE WADE Directorate of External Trade, Division of Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Trade

-Mr. OUMAR NDOYE Ministry of Finance

-Mr. PAPA DEMBA DIALLO Director General of International Centre for Foreign Trade

-Mr. MBAGNICK NIANG Director General of Marketing, International Centre for Foreign Trade

- Mr. NİHAT BOYTÜZÜN Honorary Consul, Istanbul

REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE

-H.E. ALHAJI AMADU DEEN TEJAN-SIE Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sierra Leone to Rijadh, Representative to the OIC

-H.E. HAJA ALARI COLE Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sierra Leone to Iran Accredited to the Turkey

-Mr. SÖZER ÖZER Honorary Consul General, Istanbul

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA

-Mr. MOHAMED WARSAME ALI Advisor of Minister of Finance

61


REPUBLIC OF SUDAN

-H.E. SALMAN SULIMAN AL-SAFI State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Trade

-H.E. MOHAMED HASSAN AHMED ELHAJ Ambassador of Sudan to Turkey

-H.E. HASSAN MOHAMED SALİH EL MAKİ Undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Trade

-Mr. GAFAAR AL RAJAH Undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Trade

- Mr. MOAWIA BASH1R HUSSEIN Director General at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy

-Ms. MANAL SIDDIQ Expert, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Dr. AHMED HASSAN AHMED Counselor of the Sudan Embassy

-Mr. AHMED HAMID MAHMOUD Manager of OIC, Ministry of International Cooperation

-Mr. AHMED MEKI AHMED Director of Technical Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Ms. MANAL SEDIG ABED EL WAHAB OIC Department, Ministry of Foreign Trade

REPUBLIC OF SURINAME

-Mr. RAF1EK CHIRAGALLY Head of Department for OIC in Suriname

-Ms. BEGiL-M NAZLI BAŞAR Honorary Consul General, Istanbul

SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

-H.E. AMER HUSNILUTFI Minister of Economy and Trade

-Ms. RIMA KADRİ Director General of International Relations, Ministry of Economy and Trade

62

\nncx I iuOIC/COMCLC'..;î--0:yREP

-Mr. MOHAMAD KOUDAYMİ Consul General

-Mr. MUHAMAD IBRAHIM Consul

REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN

-Mr. SHUKHRAT SULTANOV Ambassador of Tajikistan to Turkey

-Mr. KHGMIDJON YOULDOSHEV Asst. of Sales Dept. of Trade

-Mr. MUYASARA ABDULLAEV Assistant of Ambassador of Tajikistan to Turkey

REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA

-H.E SLAH£DOINE MAKHLOUF Siate Secretary of Ihe Ministry of Commerce and Handcraft

-H.E. Dr. MOHAMED LESSIR Ambassador of Tunisia in Ankara

-Mr. TAOUFIK JABEUR Consul, Istanbul

-Ms. KHEDIJA CHAHLOUL Director General for the Economic and Commercial Cooperation, Ministry of Trade and Handcrafts

-Mr. KHELIL CHTOUROU Director, Ministry of Finance Representative from the Ministry of Finance

-Mr. M. MOHAMED BELMUFTI Director of the Commercial Representative Office

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

-H.E. Assoc. Prof. Dr. ABDÜLLATİF ŞENER Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister

-Dr. AHMET TİKTİK Undersecretary of State Planning Organization

-Mr. LÜTFİ ELVAN Deputy Undersecretary of State Planning Organization

63


-Dr. MUSTAFA ATEŞ Secretary General of Undersecretary of State Planning Organization

-Mr. TEVFIK MENGÜ Director General, Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade

-Mr. MUSTAFA KEMALBÜYÜKMIHCI Director General, Ministry of Energy and Natural Sources

-Mr. ERKAN DURDU Press Advisor of the Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister

-Doç. Dr. YUSUF BALCI President of Turkish Patent Institute

-Mr. ALİ MURAT BAŞÇERİ Advisor for Foreign Affairs, President's Office

-Mr. KEMAL TUNCER Deputy Director General, Ministry of Cultural and Tourism

-Dr. TALAT ŞENTÜRK Deputy Director General, Ministry of Agriculture and Village Affairs

-Mr. OSMAN ASLAN Deputy Director General, Export Credit Bank

-Mr. AHMET KURTER Assistant Secretary Genera!, Turkish Standards Institute

-Mr. ALİ SAİT AKİN Head of Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Mr SADİ ALTINOK Head of Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Ms. SERMİN ÖZDURAN Head of nepartment, Ministry of Cultural and Tourism

-Mr. A. FAİK KURAL Hear ut Department, Under secretariat of Foreign Trade

-Mr. HÜSEYİN ÜZÜLMEZ Deputy President of Union of Chambers of Commerce & Exchange of Turkey

-Mr. ÖZDEN ERGÜL Deputy Director of Marmara Region, Export Promotion Center of Turkey

64


-Ms. SAADET DEMİRDÖKER Acting Head of Department for International Relations, Turkish Patent Institute

-Mr. BÜLENT GADA Head of Section, Ministry of Energy and Natural Sources

-Mr. SÜLEYMAN UYSAL Head of Special Credits, Export Credit Bank

-Dr. ERALP POLAT Deputy Head of Foreign Relations, Istanbul Stock Exchange

-Mr. HAYRI" BEYGÜ SOLMAZ Director, Small and Medium Industry Development Organization, Ministry of Industry and Trade

-Ms. ŞEN AKMAN Advisor of Secretary General, Technology Development Foundation of Turkey

-Doç. Dr. F. SANCAR OZANER Advisor, The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey

-Mr. MEHMET ALI SAĞLAM Head of Section, Under secretariat of Treasury

-Ms. HÜLYA ÖRS Expert, Under secretariat of State Planning Organization

-Mr. HASAN DEMİRCİ Expert, Union of Chambers of Commerce & Exchange of Turkey

- Mr. İHSAN ÖVÜT Expert, Turkish Standards Institute

-Mr. ÖZHAN ÜNAL Expert, Turkish Patent Institute

-Ms. MELTEM TURKER Assistant Expert, Under secretariat Foreign Trade

-Mr. AYKUT ALP BERK Marketing Representative, Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI)

REPUBLIC OF TURKMENISTAN

-H.E. NURBERDY AMANMURADOV Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Turkey

65


-Mr. ANNAMAMED MAMEDOV First Secretary, Consulate General, Istanbul

REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

-H.E. ISAAC MUSUMBA Minister of State Finance, Planning and Economic Development

-H.E. IBRAHIM MUKİIBI Ambassador of Uganda to Turkey

-Mr. JOHN C. OGOL Senior Finance Officer/ Counsel

-Mr. YUSUF ATIKU ABDALLA Senior Principal Economist, Research Dept, Bank of Uganda

STATE OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

-H.E. SHEIKH LUBNA BINT KHALID AL- QASIMI Minister of Economy and Planning

-H.E. MUHAMMED JASSEM AL MOZZAK! Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning

-H.E. KHALID GHANEM AL GHAITH Ambassador of United Arab Emirates to Turkey

-H.E. KHALID AHMAD MOHAMMAD AL MULLA Ambassador at Ministry of Economy and Planning, Department of International Organizations and Conferences

-Mr. OMAR AHMAD ALMOHARRAMI Expert at Ministry of Economy and Planning

-Mr. SAEED ABDULLAH AL-ROKEN Deputy Director of Development Industry Department Ministry of Finance and Industry

-Mr. KH.AJD AHMED AL-AGHBAR! Senior Administrator Industrial Development Department

-Mr. ÖJLTAN SAEED OBAID SULTAN BIN MESHAR Director, Ministry of Finance

REPUBLIC OF UZBEKHISTAN

-Mr. AKMAL KAMALOV Deputy Minister for Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade

66


-Mr. BAHTİYAR SAIDOV Chief Expert, Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations Investment and Trade

-Mr. ABROR GULYAMOV Consul General, Istanbul

-Mr. SHUKURJAN NAZAROV Translator, Consulate General, Istanbul

REPUBLIC OF YEMEN

-H.E. HESHAM SHARAF ABDULLAH ABDULRAHMAN Deputy Minister, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

-Mr. ABDULWALI ABDULLA AL-AQEL Adviser to Minister of Planning and International Cooperation

-Mr. GALAL MOHAMED MOULA Director General, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation

-Mr. TAWFIK MOHAMED AL-QIRSHI Trade Manager of Yemen Economic Organizations

-Mr. MUHAMMED ALMASHARI Honorary Consul Yemen, Istanbul

-Mr. BANDAR ABDULLAH ALERYANI Responsible of OIC Section Ministry of Foreign Affairs

B. OBSERVERS

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

-H.E. DRAGAN DOKO Minister of Foreign Trade

-H.E. NADA JANKOVIC Ambassador of Bosnia-Herzegovina to Turkey

-Ms. DUSANKA DIVCIC Head of Department at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

-H.E. EMILIE BEATRICE EPAYE Minister of Economy and Trade

-Mr. RENE NGONAINDO Ministry of Economy and Trade

67


RUSSIAN FEDERATION

-H.E. PETR V.STEGNIY Ambassador of Russia to Turkey

-Mr. RINAT SAYHULLAVIC GUBAYDULLIN Assistant to the Chairman of Budget Committee (Russian Federation Assembly)

-Mr. SERGEY KIZYUKOV Embassy of Russia to Turkey

-Mr. SERGEY EREMENKIN Deputy Chief Commercial Representative

-Mr. KHARIS POZDNYAKOV Adviser of Russian Federation's Observer in OIC

KINGDOM OF THAILAND

-Mr. BOONYARIT KALAYANAMIT Director of Thai Trade Center

-Mr. SETHAPON CHINDANON Head of Department, Thailand Tourism Authority

TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

-H.E. DERVİŞ KEMAL DENİZ Minister of Economy and Tourism

-H.E. TAMER GAZİOĞLU Ambassador of TRNC to Turkey

-Mr. MEHMET BASEL Undersecretary of Economy and Tourism

-Mr. HASAN SARICA Coordinator, President's Office

-Ms. AYDA SOYLU Consul General, Istanbul

-Mr. FERİDUN KEMAL FERİDUN Director of Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs Department Deputy Prime Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Ms. BUSE EROZAN Director of Follow-up and Coordination Department, State Planning Organization, Prime Ministry

68


-Mr. AHMET YÖNLÜER Director of Religions Affairs

-Mr. ORÇUN KAMALI Director, Ministry of Economy and Tourism

-Mr. VEDAT YORUCU Advisor at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism

-Mr. HASAN ARTUNER Director of Information and Marketing Department Ministry of Economy and Tourism

-Mr. FAHRİ YÖNLÜER Attache for Press, Consulate General, Istanbul

-Mr. EMSAL E. EMİRZADEOĞULLARI Officer, Tourism, Information and Marketing Department Ministry of Economy and Tourism

-Ms. EMİNE CAN Officer, Information and Marketing Department Ministry of Economy and Tourism

C. GUEST

REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

-Mr. SERVET AVZIU State Advisor

-Mr. ABDULKADAR MEMEDI Counselor

-Mr. RISTO VELKOVSKI Vice Consul

D. THE OIC GENERAL SECRETARIAT

-H.E. Prof. Dr. EKMELEDDİN İHSANOĞLU Secretary General

-H.E. TORI LIMANGANA Assistant Secretary General for Economic Affairs

-H.E. Ambassador THIRENO NABIKA DIALLO Advisor to the Secretary General on Economic Affairs

-Mr. OKER GÜRLER Director of Economic Affairs Department

69


-Mr. HUSSEIN TAYSIR Director of Legal Department

-Mr. BİLAL K. SASSO Head of Protocol and Public Relation

-Mr. ALBARAA TARABZOUNI Professional Officer in Economic Affairs Department

-Mr. NAGHI JABBAROV Professional Officer in the Department

E. OIC SUBSIDIARY ORGANS

STATISTICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTER FOR ISLAMIC (SESRTCIC)

-H.E. Ambassador ERDİNÇ ERDÜN Director General

-Mr. JALEL CHOUCHANE Assistant Director General, Director of Publications Department

-Mr. NABIL DABOUR Director of Economic and Social Research Department

-Mr. KAMURAN MALATYALI Deputy Director of Economic and Social Research Department

ISLAMIC CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE (ICDT)

-Mr. ALLAH RACHDI Director General

-Mr. EL HASSANE HZAINE Director Studies of Training Department

-Mr. AYMEN KACEM In Charge of Trade Promotion

ISLAMIC RESEARCH CENTER FOR HISTORY ART AND CULTURE (IRCICA)

-Dr. HALİT EREN General Director of IRCICA

-Ms. ZEYNEP DURUKAL Head, Corporate Researcher

-Dr. NAZIH MAAROUF Head, Crafts Development Program

70


-Mr. MUHAMMED TAMIMI Head, Cultural Heritage

-Mr. AHMET ALDOĞAN Director of Administrative Affairs

-Mr. SÜLEYMAN AKÇEŞME Advisor for Administrative Affairs

-Mr. ORHAN ÇOLAK Head of Division, Photography Archives

-Mr. SELAHATTİN UYGUR Researcher

ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (IUT)

-Prof. Dr. M. FAZLI İLAHI Vice Chancellor

F. SPECIALIZED ORGANS OF THE OIC

ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK (IDB)

-H.E. Dr. AHMED MOHAMED ALI President, IDB Group

-Hon. Dr. SALİM CAFER KARATAŞ Executive Director, IDB

-Mr. ABDUL AZIZ M. AL-KELAIBI Director, Cooperation Office

-Mr. NIK NAJIB HUSAIN Deputy Director, Trade Finance and Promotion Department

-Mr. AHMED ABDULWASIE Operation Officer, Cooperation Office

-Dr. AFTAB AHMAD CHEEMA Senior Economist, Economic Policy and Strategic Planning Department

-Mr. SALEH JELASSI WTO Officer

-Mr. AHMAD NAWAWI Information Officer

-Mr. MOHAMED SIDYA Technical Assistant for Operations, Office of the President, IDB

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ISLAMIC CORPORATION FOR THE INSURANCE OF INVESTMENT AND EXPORT CREDIT (ICIEC)

-Mr. HUSSEIN K. JAMA Representative of ICIEC

G. AFFILIATED ORGANS OF THE OIC

ISLAMIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (ICCI)

-H.E. SHAIKH SALEH BIN ABDULLAH KAMEL President, ICCI

-Mr. AQEEL A. AL-JASSEM Secretary General

-Ms. ATTIYA NAWAZISH ALI Asst. Secretary General

ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION (OISA)

-H.E. Dr. ABDULLATIF A. SULTAN Secretary General

H. OTHER INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (ECO)

- Mr. ASKHAT ORAZBAY Secretary General

-Mr. ORHAN IŞIK Deputy Secretary General

FEDERATION OF CONSULTANTS FROM ISLAMIC COUNTRIES (FCIC)

-Mr. ZAKARIA BIN HASHIM President of FCIC

-Mr. LEVENT GELGİN Vice President

-Mr. ATİLLA KAPRALI Secretary General

-Mr. ABDUL KARIM MUSTAFA Assistant Secretary General

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FEDERATION OF ISLAMIC COUNTRIES' CONTRACTORS (FICC)

-Mr. ABDERRAHIM LAHJOUJI President

-Mr. ABDELHAMID BEN AMAR Director

UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (UNIDO)

-Mr. CELAL ARMANGİL Director of UNIDO Centre for Regional Cooperation in Turkey

DEVELOPING EIGHT (D-8)

-H.E. Ambassador AYHAN KAMEL Executive Director

-Ms. SUNAY DİZDAR Director

I. COMCEC COORDINATION OFFICE

General Directorate of Foreign Economic Relations, State Planning Organization of the Republic of Turkey

-Mr. FERRUH TIĞLI Acting Head of COMCEC Coordination Office

-Mr. BAŞAK KAYIRAN Expert, Press Relations

-Mr. EBUBEKİR MEMİŞ Expert, Coordinator for Organization

-Mr. METİN EKER Expert, Coordinator for Drafting

-Mr. METİN GENÇKOL Expert, Drafting

-Mr. ORHAN ÖZTAŞKIN Press and Protocol Relations

-Mr. HÜSEYİN AVNİ METİN Protocol Relations

-Ms. AYTEN KAÇAR Assistant Expert, Drafting

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-Mr. FAHRETTİN K. KADIOĞLU Assistant Expert, Assistant Coordinator of Documentation

-Mr. GÖKTEN DAMAR Assistant Expert, Drafting

-Mr. ALİ İŞLER Assistant Expert, Drafting

-Mr. SELÇUK KOÇ Assistant Expert, Drafting

-Ms. SEMA HİMA Coordinator of Documentation

-Ms. BİGE HAMURDAN Assistant Coordinator of Registration Office

-Ms. BİLGE GÜLLÜ Coordinator of Registration Office

-Mr. KEMAL ARSLAN Coordinator of Meeting Rooms

-Ms. ŞERİFE MENGİ Executive Secretary

-Ms. İLKNUR ARABACI Executive Secretary

J. PROTOCOL SERVICES

-Mr. DENİZ KARABULUT Protocol Assistant, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-Mr. FATİH KAHRAMAN Protocol Assistant, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

K. MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM OF TURKEY

-Mr. HASAN ZONGÜR Acting Head of Department, Ministry of Culture and Tourism

-Ms. SERMİN DEDEOĞLU Head of Section Ministry of Culture and Tourism

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L. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE STATE PLANNING ORGANIZATION

-Mr. YAŞAR GÜLSOY Head of Department

-Mr. MEVLÜT YAŞAR Coordinator of Transport Relations

-Mr. NURETTİN AYDIN Accommodation Relations

-Mr. TAYFUR YÜKSEL Protocol Relations

-Mr. MEHMET ÖCAL Accounting

-Mr. CAFER ERDOĞAN Treasurer

-Mr. SEYİT AMBARKÜTÜK Technician

75

ANNEX

2


Original: Turkish

INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF H.E. AHMET NECDET SEZER, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY AND

CHAIRMAN OF THE COMCEC AT THE OPENING SESSION

(Istanbul, 24 November 2005)

Honorable Ministers, Distinguished Secretary-General, Distinguished Delegates,

I am pleased to be with you again on the occasion of the 21 s t Session of the

Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the

Organization of the Islamic Conference. Welcome to Turkey. I sincerely greet you

all, and hope that your efforts will yield beneficial results.

I wish once again Prof. Ekmeleddin İnsanoğlu who is participating in this

COMCEC meeting as the Secretary-General of OTC for the first time, all success

in his work. The success of the Secretary-General in introducing innovations and

reforms aiming at establishing a more effective structure for the organization that

meets the needs of its members will undoubtedly depend on the support provided

by all member states.

Honorable Ministers, Distinguished Delegates,

COMCEC has sustained its endeavors uninterruptedly for 21 years with the

support of OIC Member States, and acquired the distinct peculiarity of being an

international forum for developing economic and commercial relations among our

countries and evaluating economic developments in the world.

79


The need for developing economic relations and cooperation among our countries is felt more than ever in a globalizing world, where transportation and communication have been advancing and mutual interaction rapidly increasing.

The Organization of Islamic Conference is the second biggest political organization worldwide in terms of population and geographical size, next to the United Nations. Therefore, it is the main goal of the activities by COMCEC to make use of the opportunities and meet the needs of the members of the Organization of Islamic Conference, in such a way as to produce common benefits in the economic and commercial field. It is our common wish that the member states provide strong support to the realization of concrete projects of an international size and scale through efficient and fruitful activities.

The world economy that showed a real growth rate of 5.1 percent in 2004, is expected to grow by 4.3 percent in 2005, which is expected to be maintained in 2006. In this context, the volume of world trade in goods and services, which increased by 10.3 percent in 2004, is expected to increase by 7 percent in 2005.

The economies of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference also grew by 5.7 percent in 2004 in parallel with the positive developments in the world economy last year. While the OIC member states account for 22 percent of the world population, they have only a share of 5 percent of gross national product globally and only 8 percent of the world trade.

These figures highlight the need for the member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference to engage in more intensive and efficient cooperation in order to have a higher share of the growth of the world economy and to reach further level of welfare.

We are gratified that the "First Tour of Trade Negotiations" in the context of the COMCEC project referred to as the "Framework Agreement of Trade Preferential System for Islamic Countries" was hosted by Turkey and successfully held in Antalya, and the "Trade Preferential Tariff Protocol" was made ready. We expect this protocol to be signed by the relevant parties in the course of this COMCEC Session.

80



In pursuit of economic welfare, the tourism industry has gained increasing importance. The number of tourists globally that showed an average of 25 million a year during the 1950s has increased to 716 million today, with tourism revenues globally amounting to $ 536 billion. The tourism industry, employing 207 million people, accounts for 8 percent of world employment. The market share of OIC member states of global tourism, which is only 6 percent, is indeed not sufficient.

Within this context, I think it is meaningful and appropriate that "the Role of Tourism in the Enhancement of Economic Cooperation among OIC Member States" will be discussed under a special item of the agenda during the 21st

COMCEC session. We also believe that the First Tourism Fair to be conducted simultaneously with the COMCEC session and attended by companies operating in tourism in OIC member states, will contribute significantly to our cooperation efforts in this sector.

I believe that tourism will enable our peoples to get to know each other better apart from contributing to the welfare of our countries that possess natural, cultural and historical values.

I would like to seize this opportunity to congratulate the Research Center for Islamic History, Art, and Culture in Istanbul on its 25th anniversary. The Center has scored significant accomplishments over the past 25 years. With the invaluable support and attention of the Secretariat and the member countries, it has made concrete contributions to the study and preservation of, and dissemination of information on the works of Islamic art and culture. The "Islamic Countries Cultural Week", organized for the 25th anniversary, underlines the diversity and value of these works, which are embedded into the traditions of the member countries pertaining to culture and art. I wish the Center will pursue these fruitful activities with a further extended scope.

81



One of the main challenges for us is to combat poverty from which more than 1 billion people suffer today, by exerting all efforts required. As the international community, our main priority is to half, by 2015, the number of people in the world who have a daily income of less than one dollar and are on the brink of starvation. With a view to establishing an environment that enables development and the reduction of poverty both at the national and global levels, we must show determination and build strong partnerships with the private sector and non-governmental organizations.

To reach these goals, the establishment of better and independently operating political and economic mechanisms compatible with universal values and based on principles such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights, good governance, transparency, accountability, gender equality, and rejection of violence, is among our important tasks.

We are pleased that capacity building-programmes to combat poverty in OIC member states is a part of the agenda of the Twenty-first COMCEC Session. It is important that we concentrate our joint efforts on the development of democracy, lasting peace, combating poverty, and sustainable development in OIC member states. Within this context, regional and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms must be promoted and developed in order to prevent conflict, and strengthen political stability. We would like to invite the international community to take special measures for the solution of problems encountered by the less developed countries in their combat against poverty and in sustainable development efforts, including those aiming to increase development aid, technological cooperation, and boost foreign direct investment.

It is gratifying to observe that a promising tendency has been created for increased

investments and improved trade among the member states of the Organization of

Islamic Conference. It will also be beneficial to develop certain mechanisms to

this end. I would also like to emphasize the importance of cooperation among

stock exchanges.

82



We have been profoundly saddened by the effects of the earthquake which hit our friend and brother Pakistan last month, causing heavy casualties and significant damage, before Indonesia and the other countries in the region could recover from the destruction caused by the earthquake in December last year. I would like to once again offer my condolences to the Pakistani people who need support more than ever on these hard days. I would like to invite the international community and the member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference to continue to extend increasingly their urgent and long-term aid to Pakistan.


Negotiations on Turkey's accession to EU were initiated in October, 3rd. We are pleased to observe that this development is followed and welcomed by the Islam world. We believe that the position of Turkey in the European Union will contribute in a positive manner to the relations between the member states of the Organization of International Conference and the European Union. Turkey, that is on its way towards integration with the European Union, will continue to further maintain and strengthen its deep historical and cultural ties with the member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference. We believe that Turkey's accession to EU will enhance the cultural diversity, and improve the tolerant and collaborative approach of the European Union.


I would like also refer in brief to some political issues of interest to the Organization of Islamic Conference.

In Istanbul and New York 2004 and in San'a 2005, the Organization of Islamic Conference addressed strong calls to put on end to the isolation of Muslim Turkish Cypriot people. The Organization of Islamic Conference reiterated its strong resolve on this issue during the OIC Annual Foreign Affairs Ministers Coordination Meeting, which was held on 24 September 2005 in New York.

83


We expect OIC member states to take concrete actions to implement these resolutions in order to promote respect for and credibility of the Organization of Islamic Conference before the international community.

It is high time that we put an end to the prolonged isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people who voted for peace and compromise in the referendum held on April, 24th, 2004. Turkish Cypriots must be provided the opportunity to integrate into the international community and they should be given financial and political assistance. Their relations with the world should be developed in every domain particularly on direct transportation, trade, investment, tourism, culture and sports.


The leading issue on the priority list for regional and international peace is the situation of Iraq which is an indispensable element of balance in the Middle East. We sympathize with the pain and distress of Iraq, where a deep-rooted historical transformation is underway.

We look forward to the immediate establishment of a political structure in

Iraq that will protect national unity and integrity, ensure the rule of law and the

fair distribution of national assets among all the segments of the society and would

be satisfactory to both the Iraqi people and the international community.

We are in contact with all the segments of the brotherly Iraqi people. We recommend them to actively participate in political process and vote in elections. We sincerely a constitutional system which is pluralist, democratic and respecting to human rights based on a large-scale and viable consensus involving all the segments of the society, will be established in Iraq.

Similarly, we call upon the international community and the member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to support the establishment and protection of lasting peace and stability in Iraq and in our region.

84



The developments in the year 2005 such as the cease fire between Israel and the Palestine in February, the withdrawal by Israel from the Gaza Strip and partially from the West Bank in September revived our hopes for a settlement of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

We think that the conflict between Israel and Palestine should be settled on the basis of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions Nos. 242, 338 and 1397 in order to build just, lasting and comprehensive peace in our region. It is important to adhere to the vision stressed in Resolution No. 1397 of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side within secure and recognized borders. In this context, priority should be given to the resumption of talks according to the Road Map prepared by the Quartet.

At this current stage, there is an immediate need for the strong support of international community, particularly the member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference for the reforms and the actions taken to improve the living conditions of the Palestinian people, and to vitalize the Palestinian economy.

Turkey will continue to make contributions in the process of settling the conflict between Israeli and Palestine in an institutionalized framework.

Honorable Ministers, Distinguished Secretary General, Distinguished Delegates,

In December, the Organization of Islamic Conference Extraordinary Summit to be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be held in Makkah. Obviously, the resolutions to be adopted in the 21st COMCEC Session will be of great importance also for the Organization of Islamic Conference Extraordinary Summit. I believe that all the member states will make fruitful contributions to the activities to be carried out.

I wish your valuable contributions within the framework of the 21st

COMCEC Session will be fruitful for our states in the pursuit of common welfare and peace. I would like to extend my best wishes to all of you.

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ANNEX

3


Original: English

STATEMENT BY H. E. PROF. EKMELEDDIN IHSANOĞLU

SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE

AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE 2 1 S T SESSION OF THE STANDING

COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION

(COMCEC)


Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Your Excellency, Mr. Ahmet Necdet SEZER, President of the Republic

of Turkey and Chairman of the COMCEC,

Excellencies, Ministers,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamn Alaikwn Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

It is a great honour for me to be present at the inauguration of the 21 s t

Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial

Cooperation. I would like to avail of this opportunity to convey my deep

sense of appreciation to His Excellency Ahmet Necdet SEZER, President

of the Republic of Turkey and Chairman of the Standing Committee for

Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC), for his kind support

and keen interest in the activities of the Organization of the Islamic

Conference and the COMCEC as well as to the government and people of

the Republic of Turkey for regularly hosting the COMCEC Sessions

every year and for the traditional warm welcome and generous hospitality

89


extended to all delegations since their arrival in this beautiful and historic

city of Istanbul. The COMCEC under the strong and committed

leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Turkey has

made profound contributions to the strengthening of the economic and

commercial cooperation amongst the OIC Member States since its

inception. I am confident that, in the future, its contributions towards this

noble aim will continue intensively under the Chairmanship of the

President of the Republic of Turkey.

We were deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the magnitude of

the destruction and the massive loss of countless precious lives and

property as a consequence of the devastating earthquake that struck an

extensive region of Pakistan on 8 October 2005. OIC Member States

generously provided relief aid to the victims of the earthquake. During

my visit to Pakistan from 22 to 23 October 2005, I learned that the total

pledged donations of the OIC Member States and its institutions have

reached more than 75 percent of the total. Yet, the earthquake's

devastation is so big that billions of dollars are required for reconstruction

and rehabilitation of the devastated areas. Therefore, I reiterate my appeal

to all OIC Member States to urgently extend all possible material and

humanitarian assistance and support to the Government and the people of

Pakistan in overcoming the catastrophic impact of this tragedy and in

alleviating the sufferings of the affected victims. I believe that the OIC

Member States and its institutions will continue to be at the forefront to

provide financial and technical assistance to Pakistan. I further believe

that there is an urgent need to create a permanent disaster relief fund at

the OIC level to deal with such natural disasters.

Mr. Chairman,

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Honourable Ministers,


Today, the Islamic world is passing through a difficult phase, full of

trying circumstances and daunting challenges in political, economic,

scientific, social, and cultural fields. Most of the OIC Member States

suffer from illiteracy, inadequate housing, poverty, lack of health

services, lack of basic needs, low life expectancy, being far below the

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), insufficient human

development, infrastructural inadequacies, limited production levels, low

levels of investment, heavy debt burden, lack of competitiveness,

marginalization and the like. Under such adverse conditions and

challenges surrounding us, the Tenth Islamic Summit held in Putrajaya,

Malaysia, adopted a resolution establishing the Commission of Eminent

Persons in order to prepare a strategy and plan of action to enable the

Islamic Ummah to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

The Commission, consisting of the leading intellectuals from the OIC.

Member States, met twice under the chairmanship of the Minister of

Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, first in Putrajaya in January 2005 and

secondly in Islamabad in May 2005. The recommendations of the

Commission of Eminent Persons were contained in three documents,

namely, (a) the challenges of the 21st Century; (b) Policies and

Programme for Promoting Enlightened Moderation; and (c) OIC Reform

and Restructuring.

In January this year, we have followed with keen interest the valuable

speech delivered by His Majesty King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz, the

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. In this very important and timely

91


speech, His Majesty invited the leaders of the Muslim Ummah to a

meeting in Makkah Al Mukarramah to discuss the issues of 'unity' and

'joint action', to examine the challenges facing the Islamic world today

and to explore appropriate solutions for them so as to develop a future

vision for the Ummah. His Majesty also highlighted the need to "hold

meetings of the Ummah's intellectuals and scholars in preparation for the

Extraordinary Islamic Summit Conference. Upon invitation by His

Majesty, a Preparatory Forum of Muslim Scholars and Intellectuals was

held in Makkah Al Mukarramah on 9-11 September 2005. Makkah

Forum evaluated the challenges facing the Islamic world, discussed the

main facets of the new vision and proposed a set of recommendations to

enable the Ummah to meet these challenges. Its final conclusions will be

submitted for consideration and approval to the Extraordinary Islamic

Summit, scheduled to be held in Makkah Al Mukarramah on 7-8

December 2005.

In this connection, I would like to state that I will be honoured and happy

to exert all efforts and to mobilize all our energy to achieve its success. I

am confident that the final outcome of the Extraordinary Islamic Summit

and the implementation of its resolutions will open new avenues to the

Islamic Ummah to recover from its present setback. No doubt, this

Summit will also create a powerful synergy to achieve the desire of the

Member States to strengthen and advance the Organization to the level

aspired by our governments and peoples. In this regard, I am confident

that all the Member States will spare no effort to consolidate trade

exchanges among themselves in order to increase the intra-OIC trade to a

minimum of 20 percent from its present levels of 13 percent in their total

trade as envisaged by Muslim Scholars and intellectuals at the

Preparatory Forum.

92


At such difficult times, enhancing solidarity and cooperation in all fields,

particularly in the domain of economic and commercial cooperation,

gains importance and priority. In this connection, I strongly commend the

role played by the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial

Cooperation (COMCEC) in promoting and consolidating economic

relations and trade exchanges among the Member States. As it has been

the case in the past, the COMCEC will continue to contribute effectively

to developing economic and trade relations among our nations.

Furthermore, to reap the benefits of the globalization and minimize its

adverse effects on our economies, it is imperative to accelerate the

process of economic and commercial cooperation which will, in turn,

provide the Member States with necessary leverage to achieve sustainable

development and to avoid further marginalization of some of our

economies. Implementation of the OIC Plan of Action through the

effective participation of the Member States will pave the way to create a

more integrated economic and commercial environment among ourselves..

I would like to recall in this context that the 20th COMCEC adopted the

supplementary mechanism as developed by the Coordination Office of

the COMCEC in cooperation with the OIC General Secretariat, the

relevant subsidiary organs, specialized and affiliated institutions. In this

connection, I would like to express my appreciation to the COMCEC

Coordination Office and the relevant OIC institutions for developing the

said mechanism which, I believe, will effectively accelerate the

implementation of the Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and

Commercial Cooperation among the Member States.

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It is also a source of great pleasure that the First Round of Trade

Negotiations under the Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential

System among the OIC Member States was concluded satisfactorily. I

express my deep gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Turkey

for hosting four meetings in Antalya during the First Round. I also extend

my thanks to the COMCEC Coordination Office and the Islamic Centre

for Development of Trade (ICDT) for jointly acting as the Secretariat for

the Trade Negotiating Committee. I also thank the Islamic Development

Bank (IDB) for its contribution to the financing of these negotiations.

With the conclusion of the First Round of Trade Negotiations, a

significant phase has been reached in the efforts at the level of OIC to

strengthen economic and commercial cooperation. Now, the Trade

Preferential System will hopefully be expanded to include all the OIC

Member States through their ratification of the Framework Agreement. I

believe that all the OIC Member States should participate in this System

as soon as possible and thus; the OIC family will be able to commence

discussing the means and modalities of establishing a Free Trade Area

among themselves in -the near future, as envisaged by the Muslim

scholars met in Makkah Al Mukarramah in September 2005. Therefore, I

strongly urge the Member States that have not yet signed and ratified this

Framework Agreement, to do so at an early date.

Additionally, there are several other Agreements and Statutes on

economic matters, concluded with a view to promoting economic and

commercial relations and exchanges among the Member States. Since my

taking over as the Secretary General in January this year, I assigned great

importance and priority to the signing and ratification of them, and during

my contacts with the leaders of the Member States, I always appealed

them to do so. Once again, I would like to reiterate my appeal to the

94


Member States that have not yet signed and ratified these Agreements

and Statutes, to do so at an early date.

As one of the most important priority areas of the OIC Plan of Action,

tourism sector attracted great interest and commitment among the

Member States in recent years. It plays a major role in economic

development, cultural exchange and rapprochement between nations. It

represents an important source of revenue and foreign exchange, and

creates employment. Therefore, it constitutes an important tool for

alleviating poverty and improving the living standards of our people.

Based upon such considerations and thanks to the interest of the Member

States, we have had four ministerial meetings since the first one held in

Isfahan in 2000. I would like to avail of this opportunity to express my

thanks to the Government of the Republic of Senegal for hosting the 4th

Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers in Dakar on 28-30 March 2005,

to the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting in collaboration with the ICDT

and other OIC institutions, a workshop on this topic in Casablanca on 14-

15 June 2005, and to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for .

hosting an expert group meeting on the same subject in Tehran on 11-14

July 2005. This year, we will discuss the "Role of Tourism in the

Promotion of Economic Cooperation among Member States" and

exchange our views and experiences on this theme during the current

session. On the sidelines, we will also visit the First Tourism Fair

organized jointly by the ICDT and the concerned authorities of the

Republic of Turkey. I would like to express my thanks and appreciation

to the concerned authorities of the Republic of Turkey and the ICDT for

their joint efforts for the organization of the First Tourism Fair in

Istanbul.

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The OIC Plan of Action is, inter alia, based on the idea of giving a more

prominent role to the private sector in its implementation. The role of the

private sector in strengthening economic and commercial cooperation has

also been emphasized in various resolutions of the Islamic Summits and

the Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers. It is my sincere conviction

that the private sector should be given more chance to provide more input

during the deliberations at the COMCEC and the other OIC fora. In this

regard, convening of the OIC Economic Conference on the sidelines of

the 20th Session of the COMCEC was an important development in

evaluating the economic and commercial cooperation activities among

the Member States from the standpoint of the private sector. Benefiting

from the ideas and experiences of the real economic actors is a must if we

want them to contribute to energize trade and investment in OIC Member

States so as to enhance cooperation among the latter in these domains. In

this connection, I would like to seize this opportunity to congratulate H.E.

Shaikh Saleh Bin Abdullah Kamel for being elected as the President of

the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICO) and I wish him

great success. I will spare no efforts in supporting the ICCI's new

leadership and the private sector activities with a view to fostering

economic and commercial cooperation among Member States.

In March this year, I undertook a tour to 6 Member States in Africa. I

visited Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Mali, Niger and Senegal to obtain

first hand information on the prevailing socio-economic conditions in the

Sahel region, and on the efforts being implemented or planned to help

this region economically and socially. During this tour, I was received

very warmly. We have agreed, inter alia, for the development of food and

cotton industries in West Africa through the promotion of joint ventures

among the Member States. In this connection, we have organized, in

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cooperation with the Government of Burkina Faso, the IDB and the

ICDT, a Forum on "Energizing Trade and Investment in the Cotton

Sector of OIC Member States" in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on 18-19

April 2005. The main objective was to discuss the ways and means of

increasing the value-added in cotton sector in Africa. On the sidelines of

the Forum, the companies particularly from Morocco and Turkey

negotiated agreements with their counterparts from Burkina Faso and

Mali to establish cotton factories in these countries. Before the said

Forum, the IDB also organized an "Expert Meeting on Promoting

Production, Effectiveness and International Competitiveness of Cotton

Producing Member Countries at the IDB Headquarters on 22-23 March

2005. I hope the proposals emerged from these meetings will be

implemented effectively by all concerned.

The number of people living in poverty continues to grow in spite of all

the efforts made at the international level for poverty alleviation. The

majority of the Least Developed (LDCs) and low income OIC countries

lack financial resources and skilled manpower to effectively combat.

against poverty. Out of 50 LDCs classified by the United Nations, 22 are

members of the OIC. In such a gloomy picture, Malaysia in its capacity

as the Chairman of the 10n Islamic Summit, initiated the programme of

"Capacity Building for Poverty Alleviation among the Low-Income and

the Least Developed OIC Member States" focusing on action-oriented

concrete projects to alleviate poverty. This programme has shown a

significant progress in less than a year since its start with the convening

of the First Meeting of the Steering Committee in Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia, on 10 December 2004. Under the first phase of this

programme, three pilot projects were identified in Bangladesh,

Mauritania and Sierra Leone. The Third Meeting of the Steering

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Committee, held on 8-9 October 2005 at the IDB Headquarters, agreed to

include Burkina Faso, Comoros, Guinea, Maldives, Palestine, Senegal

and Somalia under Second Phase of the Programme. Malaysia in close

cooperation with the IDB formulates the details of the Programme. I

would like to express my appreciation for the commendable role played

by Malaysia and the IDB towards alleviation of poverty in the Member

States, particularly in Africa.

Furthermore, I am glad to learn that Turkey has also initiated a

programme called "African Development Strategy". This programme will

serve as the framework and a catalyst for the development of trade,

investment and technical cooperation between Turkey and African

countries. Thus, the ADS aims at contributing to the development of

Africa, improving living standards and reducing poverty of the African

People. Within the framework of this programme, a Turkish Trade

Exhibition is, now, being organized in Dakar from 25-28 November

2005. Within the framework of concretizing Islamic solidarity, I strongly

support the activities aimed at enhancing cooperation among the Member

States in particular those between African members and the others. In this

connection, I would like to urge the Member States to demonstrate

greater solidarity with Africa.

Before concluding, I would like to express my appreciation for the

commendable role played by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in

supporting the concrete projects which will contribute immensely to the

economic development of the Member States. I would like also to extend

my appreciation to other OIC subsidiary and affiliated institutions dealing

with economic and commercial matters, namely the Statistical Economic

and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries

98


(SESRTCIC), the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT), the

Islamic University of Technology (IUT), the Islamic Chamber of

Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and the Organization of the Islamic

Shipowners Association (OISA).

Lastly, I reiterate my belief that it is imperative to reconsider the role of

the OIC so as to empower it to become an active player in international

arena as the sole representative of the Muslim world. The OIC has not

been able to make the optimal use of its potentials, nor has it been able to

impose itself as a powerful entity capable of making its voice heard

internationally on matters of common concern to the Member States.

Now, we, all of us, should work hard to strengthen the position of the

Organization and energize its role proportionate with the genuine

potentials of the Muslim world. We need to enhance the effectiveness and

credibility of the Organization and adapt it to the new circumstances and

expectations as was the case with such other regional and international

organizations.

While concluding, I would like to convey my firm conviction that the

present Session of the COMCEC will produce effective and fruitful

results. I wish the 21st Session of the COMCEC great success.

Wassalamu Alaikum W a Rahmatullahi W a Baraka tuh.

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ANNEX

4


Original: Arabic

TEXT OF THE STATEMENT OF H.E. AHMED MOHAMMED ALI,

THE PRESIDENT OF THE ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK, AT THE OPENING SESSION


Bismillah Arrahmani Arrahim Praise be to Allah and Prayers and Peace be upon on Prophet Mohamed,

Seal of The Prophets and Messengers, and upon his Kin and all his Companions.

Honorable President Ahmed Nejdet Sezer,

President of the Republic of Turkey and President of the COMCEC,

Your Excellency Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin İnsanoğlu,

Secretary-General of the OIC,

Your Excellencies,

Honorable Members of Delegations,

Brothers and Sisters,

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatulla wa Barakatu,

It gives me great pleasure and honor, on behalf of your institution,

IDB, to address this distinguished gathering, expressing profound thanks and

appreciation to the Republic of Turkey, its President, government and people

for their sustained support and assistance to your esteemed Committee I

would like to seize this opportunity commend the warm welcome and

hospitality as well as the excellent efforts exerted to ensure the success if this

meeting.

From this august rostrum, I would like to express sincere appreciation

to the COMCEC Secretariat for inviting IDB to participate in the

deliberations of this important meeting, which, we pray Allah Almighty, will

be crowned with success.

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Mr. President,

Your all-inclusive speech has contained quite many enlightening ideas

and valuable opinions which would undoubtedly provide a rich source from

which participants will draw specific proposals and recommendations to

enhance joint Islamic actions.

In his important speech, brother Professor Dr. Ekmeleddin İnsanoğlu,

the Secretary-General of the OIC, has put forward comprehensive

conceptions of the real situation of joint Islamic action. He has also presented

proposals to address the successive challenges imposed by globalization on

the member states in all domains.

Mr. President, Your Excellencies, Brothers and sisters

The Islamic Development Bank takes great pride in its close

cooperation with your esteemed Committee. The Islamic Corporation for the

Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) was established in

response to a kind directive by your esteemed Committee. The ICIEC that

will celebrate, at the IDB headquarters in Jeddah, its 10th anniversary still

pursues its accelerated efforts to perform its mission of reinforcing the flow

of exports of the member states and attracting investments thereto.

In this respect, ICIEC has recently taken several initiatives to activate

its role in this field. Salient of these were the expansion during this year of

insurance coverage to exports to the non-member states and the provision of

support and counsel to export credit institutions in the member states.

During this year, memoranda of understanding were signed with a

member of export credit institutions in the member states that will enable

them to expand their activities and improve their technical performance, so

as to be able to perform their role in developing national exports. During this

year also, ICIEC has reinforced its activities in promoting investment

opportunities and improving the investment climate in the member states, by

introducing a programme for providing technical assistance in this vital

areas, in cooperation with the other institutions and organs of the IDB Group.

This programme also comprises several activities and events to be

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undertaken in collaboration with concerned international institutions in this

field such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization

(UNIDO) and the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency

(MIGA).

Mr. President, Your Excellencies, Brothers and sisters,

In continuation of close co-operation with your esteemed Committee,

IDB has contributed to financing the first round of negotiations leading to the

creation of the Trade Preferential System among OIC Member States (TPS-

OIC) and has participated in all meetings held for this purpose in the

Republic of Turkey.

On behalf of all of you, I would like to extend thanks and appreciation

to Turkey for the efforts exerted thereby in this domain. We look forward to

a positive response by all member states to these efforts to create an active

Trade Preferential System among OIC Member States that would serve

common interests.

Indeed, one of the latest fruits of cooperation between the esteemed

COMCEC and the IDB was the convention, here in Istanbul last year, of the

Economic Conference for the OIC Member States, on the sidelines of the

20th COMCEC Session Meeting.

By the Grace of Allah and the substantial efforts exerted by the

Turkish authorities and COMCEC, the conference was crowned with

success.

This conference issued several recommendations that would enhance

joint Islamic action. The Islamic Development Bank is resolved, Allah

willing, to work earnestly and diligently with your esteemed Committee to

translate the Conference recommendations into practical stages on the

ground.

As an initial step towards implementing the Conference

recommendations, IDB has set up an Investment Development Taskforce.

Having held several meetings in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, the

105


task force is currently working out practicable proposals in specific domains

and the distribution of roles among various entities concerned in this field.

Mr. President, Your Excellencies, Brothers and Sisters,

Since 1420 AH (1999 AD), IDB has redoubled its efforts in the field

of trade financing, in implementation of the directives of the Eight Islamic

Summit. During the period 1420 AH-14256 AH (1999 AD-2004 AD),

average trade approvals worth U.S. Dollar 1.8 billion were given, rising more

than three times above its level of U.S. Dollar 567 million over the period

1397 AH-1419 AH (1977 AD-1998 AD). During last year; 1425 AH (2004

AD) alone trade approvals hit more than U.S. Dollar 2 billion.

I would like to point out that, by the Grace of Allah, your institution,

the Islamic Development Bank has maintained, for the third time in a row,

the highest credit rating; i.e. long-term AAA and short-term A-1+ as certified

by the Standard & Poor's credit rating institution.


In a significant step towards enhancing the role of the IDB Group in

developing intra-trade among the OIC Member States, the IDB Board of

Governors, in its latest meeting in Malaysia, adopted a historic resolution

establishing the Islamic Trade Development Institution (ITDI).

This resolution comes in response to the pioneering initiative

launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ibn

Abdul-Aziz, Head of the Delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the

Tenth Islamic Summit, Putrajaya, 1424 AH (2003 AD), where he called for

"encouraging trade exchange among the OIC member states; raising it from

its current modest level to one that meets on expectation ", proposing that

"IDB resources be allocated to financing exports among the member states.

The resolution establishing the ITDI also comes in consonance with

the proposals presented by the Government of the United Arab Emirates to

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the IDB Board of Governors in this respect in Teheran in 1425 AH (2004). Immediately upon the adoption by the Board of Governors of the resolutions establishing the ITDI, IDB initiated the necessary steps to implement this resolution on the ground. As an initial step, the association agreement for ITDI was drafted and put to indepth discussion in a panel meeting attended by prominent experts form around the would.

The ITDI has a subscribed capital of US Dollar 500 million, basically drawn from the resources of the IDB Export Financing Scheme and Islamic Banks Portfolio, and an authorized capital of US Dollar 3 billion. IDB looks forward to seeing this nascent institution enjoy support by your esteemed Committee as well as by all the member states; thus enabling it to perform its role of contributing to the promotion of inter-trade among our member-states up to the desired level.


In consonance with the resolutions of your esteemed Committee and in recognition of the significance of the WTO-related issues and the requirements and obligations engendered thereby to our member states, IDB has pursued its activities within its ad hoc programme of providing technical assistance to OIC Member States on WTO-related issues. Created in 1997, this programme covers many events and activities, including courses, symposia, workshops, preparation of sectoral studies, provision of direct technical assistance to the member states and consultation meetings. IDB intends to organize on December 12, 2005 in Hong Kong on the level of participating ministers and heads of delegations, in preparation for the 6th

WTO Ministerial Conference. From this august rostrum, I kindly request your support by responding to the invitation addressed to all the member states to participate in the events of this meeting.


I am pleased to give tribute to the pioneering initiative launched by H.E. Hajj Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia to develop

107


an integrated capacity-building and enhancing programme for the member states.

I recognition of the importance of this initiative and the substantial role it can play in accelerating growth in the member states by giving them the chance to benefit from each others' experience, IDB has already started to coordinate with Malaysia and a number of member states in order to develop and implement pilot projects, within this framework with each of Sierra Leone, Bangladesh and Mauritania. A Supervisory Committee for this programme was set up. The Committee has held two meetings, the latest of which took place on 8-9 October, 2005 at the IDB headquarters in Jedda.


Your institution, the IDB has the pleasure and honor to continue to cooperate with your esteemed Committee and will spare no effort, God willing, to achieve the noble goals you are pursuing.

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity, to express my thanks, appreciation and gratitude to Your Excellency Mr. President and to their Excellencies the Ministers of Member States for the continuous support that the Bank receives to remain a symbol of solidarity and integration among Member States. I pray to Allah the Almighty to crown this Meeting was success.

Wassalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu.

108

ANNEX

5


THE TEXT OF THE SPEECH OF H.E. SHAIKH SALEH BIN ABDULLAH KAMEL,

THE PRESIDENT OF THE ISLAMIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, AT THE OPENING SESSION


In the name of Allah, the merciful, the compassionate

H.E. President of the Republic of Turkey,

Chairman,

Standing Committee on Economic & Trade Co-operation (COMCEC)

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Assalamu Alaikum W a Rahmatu Allah W a Barakatu,

Praise be to Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful to bestow on this

gathering his grace and blessing and to foreordain success to every dedicated

effort under this blooming Islamic canopy for the well-being of Islam and

Muslims as well as welfare of all humanity.

Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohamed, Family and

Companions, the messenger of mercy and right guidance.

Your Excellency, Ladies & Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure and pride to attend for the first time the meeting of

the standing committee on Economic & Trade Cooperation (COMCEC),

affiliated to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

It is a great responsibility and duty to stand here before you in my

capacity as the chairman of Islamic Chamber Of Commerce & Industry as

well as of the General Council of Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions, at

this time which witness unfavorable prevailing military and political

111


conditions all over the world which represent invincible obstacles in the way

of Islamic Integration that we all aspire and anticipate.

It is clearly evident that our ultimate objective of achieving

development and welfare could not be attained, after grace of Allah, without

attaining ultimate Islamic Economic Unity. This unity which is based on the

bounties that Allah graced our Islamic peoples all over the world, including

diversified wealth, natural resources, integrated capabilities and powers

which yield economic and trade unity that not only benefit our nations but

rather all countries of the world, the only requirement for this is sincere

intentions and faithful efforts as well as clear vision. Since my election as

chairman of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I was involved

in deliberations with the chamber officials on previous achievements and

future projects.

H.E. The President, Dear guests

By the grace of Allah, we have initiated a practical program which I

hope will be the starting point for tangible and specific achievements, not

mere theoretical recommendations, without due implementation.

Based on this well studied proposition, the Islamic chamber of

Commerce & Industry executive committee has passed in its extra-ordinary

meeting last September at Sharm El-Shiekh, Egypt a number of resolutions

put forward for the extra-ordinary summit of the Organization of the Islamic

Conference.

Based on my practical experience in the field of trade, business and

investment transactions in various Islamic countries and in my capacity as

the chairman of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry institutions, it

is my duty to present these practical proposals, in order to share with you the

concerns and noble intentions that aim at realizing the Islamic nation dream

of establishing the Islamic Common Market:

1. Priority of manpower recruitment to the Islamic countries.

2. Increasing volume of inter-state investments between Islamic

Countries.

112


3. Enhancing tourism throughout Islamic countries.

4. Developing trade exchange among Islamic countries..

5. Developing education curricula to meet demand in labor market and internal development necessities as well as establishing private educational institutions wherever feasible in Islamic countries.

6. More attention to be given to research and technical studies leading to

innovations and useful inventions to be developed, financed and

marketed for the benefit of Muslim Scholars, the Islamic Ummah and

the world at large. Hence, establishing of venture capital companies is

highly recommended to sponsor those researches and inventions

wherever feasible in Islamic countries.

7. Considering the integrity between economic and media, and due to the

importance of media in this era, besides the urgent need of the

Ummah to reform our media address in a more wide domain to

enhance Ummah solidarity and to counter various challenges. In

addition to elaboration of the bright images of Islam among other non-

muslim communities as well as linking Muslim individuals of

different sects on the basis of the modest Islamic approach.

In order to realize the above six objectives, we have to create certain means

and mechanisms of implementation including:

1) International Organization for Collection & Distribution of Zakat:

This is an applied modern organization to be entrusted with the

collection and distribution of Zakat, its structure ranking from the

level of urban neighborhood, village, town, city, up to the country

and the whole nation. The organization shall be concerned with

enhancing Zakat; as an economical, developmental and social

solidarity tool under the supervision and regulation of the state.

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Implementation requirements:

1. Drafting articles of association, which was already submitted to

the Organization of Islamic conference.

2. A resolution of adoption by the summit conference.

2) Muslims Businessmen Association:

It is an international organization with its membership open for all businessmen in Muslim countries, an affiliate of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Its goals include:

1. Increasing trade exchange between Islamic countries.

2. Acquainting and introducing Muslim businessmen to each other

and enhancing their cooperation and integration.

3. Giving Muslim businessmen major role in eliminating obstacles

and solving problems hindering trade exchange and investment

activities.

4. Convening an annual conference once at Makkah Al-

Mukarramah and the next year in other country with promising

investment chances. The theme of the conference is to exchange

views and deliberate on Islamic economics and ethics. As well as

establishing specialized enterprises to address the mentioned

objectives.


- Drafting articles of association to be adopted by the summit

conference

- Agreement between member countries on regulation of visa

issuance. The draft was already presented to the Organization of

Islamic conference.

3 ) International Company for investment studies and inter-state trade:

It is an international Company affiliated to the Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Industry specialized in conducting research, feasibility studies, exploring investments and promotion of inter-state trade. The company

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objectives include consultations and provision of information for

development and promotion of projects and manpower training.

Implementation requirements: - Support of the summit.

4 ) Eamar international Group:

It is an International Islamic Bank with a capital of One Billion U.S. Dollars.

Bank shareholders include Islamic banks and financial institutions along with

government agencies in the member countries of the Organization of Islamic

conference in addition to high net worth investors. The bank shall not be

open for direct public transactions. Its major roles shall include exploring

direct investment opportunities, financing and securitization of investments

as well as liquidity management for banks and financial institutions.

The bank shall issue four types of shares; a mechanism through which its

capital will be raised to One Hundred Billion U.S. Dollars.


- Support of the summit.

5) Free Trade Zone:

Establishing a free trade zone to be located between Jeddah & Makkah;

being the capital of the Islamic world and distinguished central location. The

trade zone, which will be equipped with a seaport and airport, shall constitute

an open city for Muslim businessmen from all over the world. Entry

regulations will be specified by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the host

country. The zone shall act as an avenue for exhibiting commodities and

services from all over the Islamic world and concluding transactions and

contracts.

Complementary services include shipping agencies, and warehouses and

other facilities, which their details are pending conducting necessary studies

by renowned consultant firms.

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6) Fair Vision Network: Launching the specialized media network " Fair Vision". An international

media company which subsidiaries are : News Agency, Public Relations and

TV stations in the main prevailing languages of the Islamic World.

Implementation requirements :-

- Support by OIC Summit.

Recommending member states, institutions and individuals to

participate in its capital.

H.E. The President, Brothers and Sisters,

I would like in this respect to recall the experiment of the European Common

Market, which their coasts border this beloved country. We all witness how

Europe availed itself from the common market, eliminating its political

differences and conflicts which it surmounted through trade and business,

although of historical disputes including the two world wars.

It is our duty today as Muslims to make the first step in a long procession

depending on our faith in Allah Almighty and our spiritual linkage. We have

to expedite our efforts, because this is the era of swift action where time is of

essence, otherwise we will lose too much.

We acknowledge before this summit, that although of our great ambitions

and huge powers as businessmen, we urgently need the sincere support of

Muslim governments and leaders. In fact, most of them, thanks to Allah, lend

all capabilities and facilities for realizing Islamic economic unity.

I hereby appeal to senior government executives reporting directly to our

distinguished leaders to avoid ordaining restrictions and laying dues on

exports and imports as represented in every dual agreement entered between

two Islamic countries, which may favor national interest but in return hamper

huge benefits for the general Islamic treasury.

In the same time some of our businessmen and financiers disregard the

common responsibility towards their Ummah and only concentrate on

personal benefits using selfish means such as dumping and price wars.

We should deal honestly and ethically for common benefit of our nation.

It is our utmost duty to change realities of trade exchange figures between

Muslim countries which are very poor and to convert the situation for

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common interest of Islamic balance of trade. We are in the age of great conglomerations and grouping and we possess all requirements for an optimum coalition.

H. E. The President, Brothers and Sisters,

You are shouldering a great responsibility before Allah. Your esteemed

committee, during a quarter of a century, realized what was possible to be

achieved. However, the ongoing latest developments of this age like

globalization and ITO and other challenges impose radical changes to be

applied in our plans to help implement our objectives in practical measurable

terms.

To that extent, I may take the liberty to appeal to Your Excellency to sponsor

and strongly support these issues before the upcoming Third Extraordinary

Session of the Islamic Conference Summit.

In consideration to Your Excellency's high-esteem and the COMCEC

recognition and appreciation in OIC states, we also appeal to H.E. The

Secretary General, my dear friend since many years back, Prof. Ekmeleddin

Ihsanoglu, to make a historical precedent for his tenure.

May Allah bless his efforts to activate the real role of the organization and

incite its sense of initiation, movement and realizing the objectives in

practical tangible results instead of theoretical speculations. .

H.E. the Secretary General is kindly requested to support those proposals and

to take the initiative to crystallize them to real by entrusting their

implementation and follow-up to three entities headed by the Islamic

Development Bank under the leadership of its President H.E. Dr. Ahmed

Mohamed Ali, who is well known to all of us for his vigilant care and

enthusiasm for the service of Ummah, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce &

Industry and the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial

Institutions. The three institutions will provide timely progress reports to

COMCEC.

COMCEC will also be in-charge of supervision, follow-up and reporting to

next summit about progress of the projects. COMCEC should also be

entrusted with liaising with member states to cope with obstacles and provide

facilities to the plan.

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At last but not least, it is my pleasure to reiterate my gratitude to Your Excellency for availing me the opportunity to address this venerable gathering.

As we are all navigating in one boat, we pray to Allah Almighty for our safe

pursuit and to help us land on prosperity and progress shores for the ultimate

strength of our faith and well being for all humanity.

Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet, the Messenger of Mercy.

Wassalamu Aliakum Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatuh.

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6


Original: English

AGENDA OF THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION

OF THE COMCEC


1. Opening Session

2. Adoption of the Agenda

3. Background Reports

i. Background Report by the OIC General Secretariat

ii. World Economic Developments with Special Reference to OIC Member Countries by SESRTCIC

iii. Supporting the Reform of the International Financial Architecture by SESRTCIC

iv. Report of the Follow-up Committee by the COMCEC Coordination Office

v. Review of the Implementation of the Plan of Action: a) Report of OIC General Secretariat b) Report of the Sessional Committee

vi. Cooperation among the Stock Exchanges of the OIC Countries

4. Reports by IDB and ICDT on the Expansion of Intra-OIC Trade

5. Report of the Trade Negotiating Committee for Establishing Trade Preferential System among the OIC Member States

6. Matters related to World Trade Organization Activities

7. Report by ICCI on Private Sector Meetings among OIC Member Countries

8. Report by ICDT on Trade Fairs of Islamic Countries

9. Exchange of Views on the "Role of Tourism in the Promotion of Economic Cooperation Among OIC Member Countries".

10. Evaluation and Follow-Up of the Outcomes of the OIC Economic Conference held on the sideline of the 20th COMCEC

11. Capacity Building Program for Poverty Alleviation in OIC Member States

12. Matters Related to Economic Assistance to Some Islamic Countries

13. Date of the Twenty Second Session of the COMCEC

14. Any other business

15. Adoption of the Resolutions of the Twenty-First Session of the COMCEC

16. Closing Session.

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Original: English

TEXT OF PRESENTATION BY H.E. DR. AHMET TIKTIK UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE PLANNING ORGANIZATION

OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE

EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON "THE ROLE OF TOURISM IN THE PROMOTION OF ECONOMIC COOPERATION

AMONG THE OIC MEMBER STATES"


Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

I would like to submit to the august assembly a summary of the observations

and recommendations made by the senior officials on the subject of this year's

Exchange of Views, namely, The Role of Tourism in the Promotion of Economic

Cooperation among the Member States.

During the discussions on the subject, the Senior Officials have considered

various aspects of the tourism and economic cooperation among the OIC member

states, and made several observations and recommendations in this regard. Besides,

the proposals and views regarding tourism during the workshop on "The Role of

Tourism in the Promotion of Economic Cooperation among the Member States"

held on June 14-15, 2005 at the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT)

were also discussed.

The senior officials have observed, among others that:

• Member countries should facilitate exchange of experts, trainers, and

research and tourism development and try to initiate a capacity building

program of human resources in tourism sector;

• It is important for the member countries to draw up a communication

and general information program on cultures and civilization. This

program that will be drawn up in several languages with a view to

promoting tourism, the wealth and role played by Islamic civilization in

humankind history, will allow access to Islamic heritage via Internet,

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•

with interactive links and themes to be defined by all the OIC Member

countries;

Member countries need to diversify tourism products by the inclusion

of socio- cultural programs and traditional activities to ensure

sustainable development;

• Finally, the senior officials agreed that the member states should derive

maximum benefit from the programs and services of the OIC

Institutions and the World Tourism Organization and other specialized

regional and international Organizations.

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

Senior officials have also agreed on a number of specific recommendations

with a view to promote tourism among the OIC member states. The notable ones

are the following:

1. Member countries are called to develop partnership agreements between the

private and the public sector at national and regional levels;

2. Member countries are encouraged to set up establishment of alliances

between tourism partners in the OIC countries, particularly, the official

tourism promotion bodies to strengthening joint tourism marketing and

promoting cooperation efforts at the sub regions level of the OIC and as a

whole;

3. Member countries are called to establish and facilitate linkages in air, land

rail, sea transportation with a view to easing access from one destination to

another within the OIC region;

4. Member countries are called to take necessary measures to facilitate the

entry and movement of tourists among the OIC member states and enhance

intra OIC tourism through simplifying visa issuance.

5. Member countries are urged to consider the possibility of granting incentives to investment projects initiated by the Investors of the OIC countries.

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The points of agreement and recommendtions which came out of the

discussions of the senior officials, some of which I have just submitted to you, are

incooporated into the Draft Resolution Number One, already made available to you

in three languages.

This completes my presentation on the outcome of this year's Exchange of

Views Session, held at the level of Senior Officials.

Thank you.

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Original :English

RESOLUTION (1)

OF THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE COMCEC


The Twenty-First Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and

Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (COMCEC),

held in Istanbul from 22 to 25 November 2005;

Deeply grieved by the recent disastrous earthquake which struck the Pakistani

Nation and conveys its deep condolences for the victims of the catastrophe.

Recalling the relevant Resolutions of the OIC Summit Conferences and the

Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers;

Recalling in particular the emphasis laid by the 10th Islamic Summit Conference,

held in Putrajaya, Malaysia from 16 to 18 October 2003, on further enhancing

economic cooperation among the OIC Member States;

Recalling the Strategy and Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and

Commercial Cooperation among the Member States of the Organization of the Islamic

Conference, approved by the Tenth Session of the COMCEC and endorsed by the

Seventh Islamic Summit Conference;

Taking into consideration the resolutions adopted at the previous Sessions of

the COMCEC and the recommendations made at the Twenty-First Meeting of its

Follow-up Committee;

Reaffirming the commitment to removing all obstacles to closer economic and

commercial cooperation among OIC Member States;

Having considered the current international situation and its economic and

financial repercussion on the OIC Member States;

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Taking into consideration the Resolution adopted at the Tenth Session of the

COMCEC calling for holding an exchange of views at the annual COMCEC sessions

on important world economic developments concerning Member States;

Taking cognizance of the need to follow up the outcome of the exchange of

views sessions and coordinate the positions of Member States in relevant international

fora in the areas covered at these sessions;

Reaffirming the commitment of Member States to the strengthening of the

intra-OIC trade through mutual economic cooperation and progressive trade

liberalization for the development of economic and commercial infrastructure; and

recalling the related decisions of the COMCEC that the subject be on its agenda as a

permanent item;

Recognizing in this respect the need for more cooperation and coordination

among OIC Member States to ensure an increase in their share of the world trade;

Expressing its satisfaction at the entering into force of the Framework

Agreement on Trade Preferential System among the OIC Member Countries (TPSOIC)

and the successful conclusion of the First Round of Trade Negotiations.

Noting the background and progress reports, working papers and studies

submitted by the OIC General Secretariat, the COMCEC Coordination Office, the

Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries

(SESRTCIC), the Islamic Center for Development of Trade (ICDT), the Islamic

Development Bank (IDB) and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)

on the agenda items.

Appreciating the efforts made by the OIC institutions working in the area of

economic and commercial cooperation, namely, the Statistical, Economic and Social

Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRTCIC), the Islamic Center

for Development of Trade (ICDT), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the Islamic

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), and the Organization of Islamic Ship

owners Association (OISA), and appeals to Member States to give the needed support

and assistance and to meet their financial obligations to these institutions so that they

may continue to perform their functions effectively.

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I. Background Reports (Agenda Item: 3)

(i) Background Report and study submitted by the OIC General Secretariat (Agenda Item; 3.i)

1. Takes Note the Background Report by the OIC General Secretariat

[(OIC/COMCEC/21-05/D(1)] on the progress achieved by Member States and OIC

institutions in the field of economic and commercial cooperation.

2. Recognizes the importance of tourism as an area of cooperation among the OIC

Member States and notes with satisfaction the commitment and interest of the OIC

Member States to convene four ministerial meetings since the first Islamic Conference

of Tourism Ministers in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran, on 2-4 October 2000. In this

connection, expresses its thanks to the Government of Senegal for hosting the Fourth

Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers in Dakar, Senegal, on 28-30 March 2005,

welcomes the initiative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the Fifth Islamic

Conference of Tourism Ministers in Baku on 9-12 September 2006 and urges the OIC

Member States to actively participate in this Conference.

3. Emphasizes the importance of OIC Agreements and Statutes in the area of

economic and commercial cooperation, and underlines that these Agreements and

Statues are specifically intended to promote economic and commercial cooperation

among the OIC Member States. In this connection, renews its appeal to those Member

States, that had not yet done so, to sign and ratify the Agreements as early as possible,

particularly the Framework Agreement on the Trade Preferential System among

Member States of the OIC (TPSOIC) and the Protocol on the Preferential Tariff

Scheme for the TPSOIC (PRETAS) so as to facilitate the wider participation of

Member States in the System.

(ii) World Economic Developments with Special Reference to OIC Member

States (Agenda Item: 3.H)

4. Takes note the Report of SESRTCIC on the recent world economic

developments and the implications for the OIC Member States, which has drawn the

following salient conclusions;

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i. The average economic performance of the OIC countries, as a group, remained below that of the developing countries, as a group, which

indicates a more vulnerability of the economies of the former group to the

adverse external shocks such as the unpredictable fluctuations in

international trade and the instability in financial flows ,

ii. Agriculture and oil production are still the main productive economic

activities in almost half of the OIC countries. The large share of such

primary commodities in those countries' output and exports brings about

a significant exposure of their economies to the risk of the fluctuating

trends in international commodity prices and, thus, negatively affects their

sustainable economic growth and long-term policy making ,

iii. In order to decrease their vulnerability to the adverse shocks in the world

economy, the OIC countries are recommended to further their efforts

towards creating an enabling environment for sustainable development

through the pursuit of more coherent and practical development strategies

based on sectoral diversification and structural reforms with the active

participation of the private sector,

5. Entrusts SESRTCIC to continue to monitor world economic developments and

their implications for the OIC Member States and report to the annual sessions of the

COMCEC.

(iii) Supporting the Reform of the International Financial Architecture

(Agenda Item: 3.iii)

6 Takes note of the Report of SESRTCIC regarding the International Financial

Architecture and its implications for the OIC Member States [(OIC/COMCEC/21 -

05/D(5)], in the implementation of the Resolution No. 4/32-E adopted at the 32nd

Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Sana, Republic of

Yemen, which has drawn the following salient conclusions:

i. To balance the risks of the tightening up of the global liquidity and give

positive signs to foreign investors, the OIC countries are recommended to

accelerate the process of restructuring their economies and create an

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overall enabling economic environment for well-functioning market economies,

ii. To become more attentive to the recent financial standards which is recently developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), the OIC countries are recommended to accelerate the process of restructuring their banking systems through developing higher supervisory and regulatory capacities,

iii. The OIC countries are recommended to play a more active role in the whole process of restructuring the global financial architecture through getting more involved in the process of formulating and revising the international financial criteria and standards,

iv. As an alternative means of using international funds, the OIC countries are recommended to realise more equity issuance through enhancing the efficiency of their stock exchanges, which is a less costly option compared to issuing bonds or receiving syndicated loans.

7. Entrusts SESRTCIC to continue to follow-up and study developments on the subject and their implications for the Member States and report to the next Session of the COMCEC.

(iv) Report of the Follow up Committee (Agenda Item: 3.iv)

8. Expresses its appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Turkey for hosting the 21st Meeting of the Follow up Committee.

9. Takes note the Report of the Follow up Committee (OIC/COMCEC-FC/21-05/REP) of COMCEC held on 10-12 May 2005.

10. Endorses the recommendations made by the Follow up Committee at its 21st

Meeting.

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(v) Review of Implementation of the Plan of Action (Agenda Item: 3.v)

a) Report by the OIC General Secretariat

11. Takes note the Report entitled "Review of Implementation of the Plan of Action" [(OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(7)] submitted by the General Secretariat of the OIC and requests the OIC General Secretariat to continue submitting to the Annual Sessions of the COMCEC a periodical review on the implementation of the Plan of Action.

12. Underlines the importance of the implementation of the outcome of the Expert

Group Meeting for Accelerating the Implementation of the OIC Plan of Action for

Economic and Commercial Cooperation held in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey, on 6-7

May 2001 which was approved by the 17th Session of the COMCEC.

13. Requests the Member States that had already offered to host sectoral expert

group meetings to expedite the convening of said meetings and also calls the Member

States offering to host the expert group meetings (EGMs) may kindly do so by May

2006 after which dead live line, it could be open to other Member States willing to host

the same meeting as decided by the COMCEC.

14. Appeals to Member States to come forward with proposals for hosting sectoral

or inter-sectoral Expert Group Meetings in the priority areas of the Plan of Action,

where no EGM has so far been held.

15. Also takes note of the presentations of the project proposals by the concerned

institutions of the Republic of Turkey in the prescribed format of project profile and

urges Member States, that were interested in these projects, and the coordinator OIC

Institutions to expedite the formation of the project committees, as envisaged in the

Plan of Action.

16. Reaffirms the importance of the need to develop regionally-based projects by a

group of Member States in a particular region to get the support of the regional

institutions and, accordingly, stresses the importance to ensure the active involvement

of regional institutions such as the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) in future

experts group meetings.

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17. Calls upon the concerned OIC institutions working in the field of economic and

commercial cooperation under the auspices of the COMCEC to continue to extend the

necessary assistance to Member States, and appreciates the assistance already offered

by them.

18. Takes note of the outcome of the OIC Economic Conference and urges all

concerned parties to take necessary action for its actual implementation.

(vi) Promotion of Cooperation among the Stock Exchanges of the OIC Member States (Agenda Item: 3. vi)

19. Takes note the Report submitted jointly by SESRTCIC and ICDT on the

Developments in the Promotion of Cooperation among the "Stock Exchanges of the

OIC Member Countries" (OIC/COMCEC/2 l-05/D(8).

20. Expresses its appreciation that the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE), in

collaboration with the relevant OIC institutions, organized a round table meeting on

"Promotion of Cooperation among the Stock Exchanges of the OIC Countries", in

Istanbul, in March 2005, with the participation of stock exchanges from 11 OIC

Member Countries and several OIC institutions.

21. Notes the decision of the round table meeting that the cooperation among the

stock exchanges of OIC countries shall continue under the platform called "Islamic

Stock Exchanges Forum", which will be led by ISE and calls upon the stock exchanges

of Member States to pool their efforts in terms of cooperation in this regard in the

"Islamic Stock Exchanges Forum", and invite them to actively join the Forum.

22. Also Notes that Islamic Stock Exchanges Forum shall meet twice annually, once

in Istanbul and the other in another member state. Also noted that holding of two

meetings in a year may not be feasible which should be re-examined by Islamic Stock

Exchanges Forum from its practibility point of view.

23. Request the Istanbul Stock Exchange to follow-up, in collaboration with the

SESRTCIC, ICDT and IDB, the developments on the subject and report to the next

Session of the COMCEC.

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II. Reports by IDB and ICDT on the Expansion of Intra-OIC Trade (Agenda Item: 4)

24. Takes Note the reports submitted by IDB and ICDT on the expansion of intra-

OIC trade (OIC/COMCEC/21-05/D(10) and (OIC/COMCEC/21-05/D(4).

25. Welcomes IDB's effort to set up the International Islamic Trade Finance

Corporation, the new autonomous trade financing entity of the IDB Group, which will have

an authorized capital of US$3.0 billion and a subscribed capital of US$500 million and

calls upon Member States to support its establishment and business activities by

transferring its shares in Export Financing Scheme (EFS) to the new institution i.e.

International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation.

26. Notes with satisfaction the steps taken by IDB through its operational plans to

mobilize the needed resources under four schemes, namely the Import Trade Financing

(ITFO), the Export Financing Scheme (EFS), the Islamic Bank Portfolio (IBP), the Unit

Investment Fund (UIF) and the two mechanisms (two steps murabaha and syndication);

and appreciates also the continuous efforts of IDB in this regard enabling it to finance an

amount of US $6.69 billion in favour of intra-OIC trade from 1420H/1425H (1999-2005)

constituting 76% of its approved trade financing operations totaling an amount of US $8.82

billion.

27. Notes the parallel efforts of IDB to increase intra-OIC trade through financing

trade-related projects and technical assistance; and further urges Member States to

accede to the programs of ICIEC and to other schemes designed to boost intra-OIC

trade.

28. Welcomes the efforts of IDB to mobilize a total amount of US$2.12 billion through

Two Step Murabaha (2SMF) and syndication mechanisms since 1420H (1999) with about

US$546 million having been mobilized in 1425H (2004- 2005) alone under the two

mechanisms, of which US$421 million was raised from other Islamic banks and financial

institutions for the purpose of financing intra trade among OIC/IDB Member States.

29. Notes the approvals made by IDB amounting to US$2.72 billion in 1425H (2004-

2005) and US$23.02 billion during the period 1397H to 1425H under the four trade

financing schemes.

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30. Thanks Member States who have actively assisted in identifying viable trade

operations for financing by the IDB, and urges other Member States, who have not done

so, to actively support IDB in its efforts to increase intra OIC trade financing.

31. Takes note with appreciation that the intra-OIC trade recorded positive results

since the share of intra-OIC trade in the overall trade of the OIC Member States has

shown a positive evolution rising from 12.8% in 2002 to 13.5% in 2003, and the value

of this trade reached approximately 77 billion US dollars in 2003, as indicated in the

ICDT's 2005 Annual Report.

32. Requests Member States to provide on a regular basis ICDT with data relating

to trade and investment statistics and regulations.

33. Urges financial institutions, including insurance companies, in Member States to

support IDB's efforts, among others, by according more favourable terms to

transactions that promote direct trade among Member States.

34. Takes note of the recommendations made at the OIC Trade Forum held in

Malaysia on 20-21 June 2005 and calls upon IDB and ICDT to follow-up on the

recommendations made.

35. Requests IDB to continue provision of technical assistance for capacity building

of the focal points in Member States.

36. Entrusts IDB and ICDT to follow up the expansion of intra-OIC trade and

report to the COMCEC and to other OIC fora.

III. Report of the Trade Negotiating Committee for Establishing Trade Preferential System among the OIC Member States (Agenda Item: 5)

37. Notes with satisfaction that the First Round of Trade Negotiations under the

Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System among the Islamic Countries

(TPSOIC) held in Antalya, the Republic of Turkey, from April 2004 to April 2005, was

successfully concluded with the preparation of the draft Protocol on the Preferential

Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC (PRETAS).

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38. Expresses its thanks and appreciation to the Republic of Turkey for successfully hosting and chairing the first round of trade negotiations under the Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System among the Islamic Countries held in Antalya, from April 2004 to April 2005.

39. Also thanks the Republic of Turkey for hosting a Special Session of the Trade

Negotiating Committee on the sidelines of the 21st COMCEC in order to finalize the

PRETAS for signature at the Ministerial Session of 21st COMCEC.

40. Expresses its satisfaction to the COMCEC Coordination Office and the ICDT

for fulfilling, in an excellent manner, their task as the Secretariat of the Trade

Negotiating Committee under the Framework Agreement on the Trade Preferential

System among the Islamic Countries.

41. Notes that the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) contributed to the financing of

the First Round of the Trade Negotiations as well as the Special Session of the Trade

Negotiating Committee (TNC) that was held on the sidelines of the 21st Session of

COMCEC and encourages IDB to continue to support future rounds of trade

negotiations.

42. Adopts the Protocol on the Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC (PRETAS), agreed upon in the special session of the Trade Negotiating Committee, held concurrently with the 21st Session of COMCEC on November 23rd, 2005, in Istanbul, as the outcome of the first round of trade negotiations.

43. Welcomes the decision by the Trade Negotiating Committee to launch the

second round of trade negotiations under the Framework Agreement on the Trade

Preferential System among the OIC Member Countries (TPS-OIC), in 2006, with a

view to complement the PRETAS with annexes, which are necessary to implement it.

44. Calls upon the Member States, which have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the

"Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System among the Member States of

OIC" and to accede to the PRETAS.

45. Calls upon the Members of the Trade Negotiating Committee to expedite the

signing and ratification processes of the PRETAS with a view to implementing it as

soon as possible.

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IV. Matters Relating to WTO Activities (Agenda Item: 6 )

46. Welcomes the full membership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the WTO, which was approved by the WTO on 11 November 2005.

47. Notes the monitoring reports on the World Trade Organization (WTO) activities and prepared by IDB (OIC/COMCEC/20-04/D(15) and ICDT. (OIC/COMCEC/20-04/D(16)

48. Urges the OIC Member States to participate actively in the 6th Ministerial Conference of WTO (Hong Kong 13-18 December 2005) by submitting a positive agenda for the issues of high interest for and implication on their economies, especially, those relating the Agriculture including cotton, industrial products, services as well as the other issues.

49. Commends the IDB for organizing a seminar on 29-30 March 2005 on "The State of Play in the Current WTO Negotiations on Agriculture and Non-Agricultural Market Access: Challenges and Opportunities for the OIC Member Countries", and a Workshop on 31 January-3 February 2005 on WTO accession for the CIS countries. thanks the IDB for organizing an expert-level meeting on trade facilitation, in September 2005, with a view of assisting the OIC member participants on various dimensions of the WTO's mandate vis-â-vis the trade facilitation negotiations. Also thanks the IDB for organizing in June 2005, the consultative meeting for the OIC Member Countries' Permanent Missions in Geneva, with a view to discussing the state of play in different negotiation tracks before the WTO General Council Meeting in July 2005.

50. Takes note that IDB is planning to organize a Ministerial consultative meeting for OIC member countries on the eve of the 6th WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong, on 12 December 2005 to exchange views and deliberate on the latest developments in the Doha Work Programme and the likely outcome of the Conference, and explore how best to enhance their cooperation on issues related to the WTO and urges the OIC member countries to attend the above mentioned consultative meeting.

51. Calls on IDB and ICDT to pool and coordinate their efforts to reinforce the human and institutional capacities of OIC Member States so as to facilitate their full integration into the multilateral trading system on equitable and fair basis.

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52. Expresses their concern over the slow pace of negotiations on the access to

goods and services markets and states that the OIC member states in the course of

accession are subjected to excessive demands.

53. Appeals to WTO members that OIC Member States that the acceding to the

WTO should not be submitted to obligations and commitments that are not aimed at in

multilateral trade agreements (especially those called WTO-plus obligations) and the

provisions of the special and differential treatment should automatically be enforced on

OIC Member States, acceding to WTO Members, and the accession procedure should

be simplified.

54. Noting that the WTO ministerial conference is to be held shortly, and whereas

Palestine has requested to participate in the deliberations of the WTO Ministerial

Conference as an observer, the 21st session of COMCEC calls upon the member

states to support and endorse Palestine's request to participate in the deliberations of the

WTO Ministerial Conference as an observer It also calls upon them to support

Palestine to accede to the observer-status membership of WTO.

55. Entrusted IDB and ICDT to monitor matters relating to WTO activities as well

as to render technical assistance to Member States particularly on issues of trade in

services and trade facilitation and to report there on to the annual session of the

COMCEC and other concerned OIC fora.

V. Report by ICCI on Private Sector Meetings among OIC Member States (Agenda Item: 7)

56. Notes the efforts made by ICCI to organize annual Private Sector Meetings,

prior to the annual COMCEC sessions and calls for their continuation.

57. Takes note of the reports presented by the representative of the Islamic

Chamber, on the 11th Private Sector Meeting held in Bahrain from 5-7 February 2005,

the First Businesswomen Forum held in the Emirates of Sharjah, on 1-3 March, 2005

and the 1st World Islamic Forum held in Malaysia from 1-3 October 2005, also notes the efforts of the Islamic Chamber in pursuing activities for the promotion of the

private sector and conveys its thanks to the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain

the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce

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and the Asian Strategic Leadership Institute (ASLI) of Malaysia, and the IDB for their

support in organising the respective meetings.

58. Takes Note of the recommendations of the World Islamic Economic Forum, which focuses on the need for sustainable economic development as a means to promote the prosperity of the OIC Countries. In this context, the Forum set up three task forces, one, to establish a private sector sponsored World Economic Corporation, two, to set up a World Islamic Businesswomen Network and third, a World Islamic Education Trust.

59. Underlines the importance of the holding such wide-based Forums, as an

effective mechanism to have a greater interaction between the public/private sector, the

academicians, NGO's and calls for the follow up of the recommendations of the

Forum.

60. Calls upon the related OIC Institutions, the IDB, NGOs the UN Agencies and

the National Chambers of Commerce to extend all support to the initiatives of the ICCI

related to the development of the private sector.

61. Calls upon the ICCI to continue with its efforts for greater interaction between

the private sector of the OIC countries and the Muslim Communities from non-OIC

Countries, by organizing relevant meetings, and also calls upon the ICCI to continue to

submit these reports and recommendations therein to the COMCEC for consideration.

62. Takes Note that Islamic Chamber will organize: (1) The 1st Forum of Tourism

in Islamic Countries, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 17-19 April 2006 (2)

The First Global Islamic Trading Conference and Exhibition, in State of Kuwait from

9-11 April 2006 (3) the 2nd Forum for Businesswomen in Islamic Countries, in

Malaysia, in the third quarter 2006 the 3rd Forum for Businesswomen in Qatar in 2007

and (4) The 3rd International Conference on Investment and Privatization in OIC,

Countries in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in 2006, and calls upon the OIC Member

States to encourage their relevant private sector and Chambers of Commerce to actively

participate in the said events.

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VI. Report of the ICDT on Islamic Trade Fairs (Agenda Item: 8)

63. Expresses its thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting,

and ICDT for jointly organizing with the Kingdom of Bahrain the 10th Trade Fair of

Islamic Countries, from 5th to 9th February 2005, under the theme of "Role of the

Private Sector in the Economic Integration between the Islamic Countries", with an

exhibition area of 14,000 sqm, deals settled around 50 million Bahraini Dinars (about

130 million US $).

64. Recalls the offers of the Republic of Senegal, the Republic of Iraq and the

Republic of Guinea to host the 11th, 12th and 13th of Trade Fairs of Islamic Countries in

2007, 2008 and 2010 respectively.

65. Expresses its thanks and appreciation to the Republic of Turkey for hosting

the First Tourism Fair of Islamic Countries, under the theme "OIC Tourism: A Meeting

Point of Peace and Tolerance", jointly organized by ICDT, TURSAB and CNR. in

Istanbul from 24-26 November 2005.

66. Takes Note that the 2nd and 3 rd Tourism Fairs of Islamic Countries will be

hosted in Lebanon and Egypt in 2007, 2009 respectively and welcomes the offer of

Syria to host the 4th Tourism Fair of Islamic Countries.

67. Thanks the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria for hosting the 1st

Agribusiness Exhibition of the OIC Countries under the theme "The Agribusiness

sector: partnership model among the Member States of the Organization of the Islamic

Conference" jointly organized with ICDT from 17th to 20th April 2005.

68. Requests ICDT to prepare regularly a progress report on the Trade Fairs of

Islamic Countries as well as the Tourism Fairs and submit them to the COMCEC

Sessions, and the related OIC fora.

VII. Exchange of Views on "Role of Tourism in the Promotion of Economic Cooperation among the OIC Member States " (Agenda Item: 9)

69. Expresses its appreciation to the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting and to

ICDT, in collaboration with IDB, SESRTCIC and ICCI for organizing successfully the

Workshop on the "the Role of Tourism in economic cooperation among the OIC

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Member States" in Casablanca on 14th and 15th June 2005, endorses the

recommendations of the workshop, and calls upon OIC Member States to endeavour to

implement them. (Annexed herewith.)

70. Thanks the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the presentation on the tourism

development.

71. Thanks the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for holding the Expert

Group Meeting on Tourism in July 2005 and endorses the recommendations of the said

EGM.

VIII. Evaluation and the Follow-Up of the Outcome of the OIC Economic Conference (Agenda Item: 10)

72. Takes note the presentation of the COMCEC Coordination Office on the

Evaluation and Follow-Up of the Outcome of the OIC Economic Conference.

73. Notes the initiative of the IDB Group to launch the Technical Assistance

Programme for the promotion of investment.

74. Notes with appreciation the holding of meetings by the IDB on promotion of intra-OIC investment in October 2005 on the occasion of the World Islamic Economic Forum in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, and the Ninth International Business Forum in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

75. Calls on the Member States and the concerned OIC Institutions to continue to

follow-up the outcome of the OIC Economic Conference, and requests the concerned

OIC Institutions to report on the developments of the subject to the forthcoming

Sessions of the COMCEC.

IX. Capacity Building Programme for Poverty Alleviation in OIC Member States (Agenda Item: 11)

76. Welcomes Malaysia's recent initiative of establishing a Capacity Building

Program in the OIC Countries for poverty alleviation in less developed and low-income

OIC Countries, and launching the first phase of the program, which consists of three

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pilot projects, in March, 2005, in Kuala Lumpur, and calls upon the Member States to

extend all support to the program.

77. Takes note of the eight capacity building programmes offered by Malaysia to

OIC countries for implementation in 2006 in the area of trade, investement, SME, trade

facilitation, development of women entrepreneur, productivity and standards and urges member countries to participate in the programmes.

78. Expresses its thanks and appreciation to the Government of Burkina Faso, the

OIC General Secretariat, IDB and ICDT, for successfully organizing in Ouagadougou

on 18-19 April 2005 a forum on Energizing Trade and Investment in Cotton Sector in

Africa and calls for the implementation of the recommendations adopted by the Forum.

79. Welcomes the offer of the Republic of Turkey to host the Second Expert Group

Meeting (EGM) on "Cotton Producing and Processing Industry" in Izmir, in March

2006 and urges Member States and concerned OIC institutions to participate in this

meeting.

80. Entrusts IDB to monitor matters regarding the Capacity Building Program in the

OIC Countries and report on them to the annual sessions of the COMCEC and other

concerned OIC fora and notes IDB's continuous efforts in this regard.

X. Report of the Sessional Committee

81. Takes note of the Report of the Sessional Committee (OIC/COMCEC/SC-

05/REP) and approves the recommendations contained therein.

82. Renews its appeal to Member States to take the measures needed for a greater

involvement in the activities of the OIC subsidiary organs, affiliated, and specialized

institutions.

XI. Organizational Matters

83. Decides that the Twenty Second Meeting of the Follow-up Committee be held

from 23 to 25 May 2006 and the Twenty Second Session of the COMCEC be held from

13 to 16 November 2006, in Istanbul.

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84. Decides that "Capacity Building on Facilitation of Trade and Investment" be the theme for the exchange of Views at the Twenty Second Session of the COMCEC, and requests IDB to organize a workshop on this topic in collaboration with the OIC General Secretariat and any other international organization, prior to the Twenty Second Session of the COMCEC and submit its report to the Session.

85. Invites Member States to send to the OIC General Secretariat, sufficiently in advance of the Twenty Second Session of the COMCEC, country reports reflecting their experiences on the subject matter for the exchange of views.

86. Requests the Follow-up Committee, at its Twenty Second Meeting, to draw up the draft agenda of the Twenty Second Session of the COMCEC and recommends alternative themes on which exchange of views would take place during the subsequent COMCEC sessions.

87. Requests the OIC General Secretariat to communicate to Member States the dates of the Twenty Second Session of the COMCEC and the Twenty Second Meeting of the Follow-up Committee.

147

ANNEX

9


Original: English

RESOLUTION (2)

ON MATTERS RELATED TO ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO SOME COUNTRIES


The Twenty-first Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and

Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference

(COMCEC) held in Istanbul, 22-25 November 2005;

A. Economic Measures in Support of Palestine

Recalling the resolutions adopted by OIC Summits in support of the Palestinian people;

Recalling also the previous resolutions adopted by the Standing Committee at Ministerial Meetings and at meetings of other committees;

Recalling further the resolutions adopted by the 32nd Islamic

Conference of Foreign Ministers in support of the State of Palestine;

Condemning the repeated Israeli aggression against the Palestinian

people and occupation of Palestinian territories in violation of the resolutions of

international legitimacy and agreements signed and recognized internationally

and demanding the cessation of all forms of aggression and the violation of the

Muslim and Christian holy places and also demanding the immediate

withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces from all the Palestinian territories as

well as the cessation of aggressions against the Palestinian people, and the

insistence on imposing the separation-wall on the Palestine territories, in spite

of overwhelming international opposition;

Noting the role played by the Palestine National Authority in all its

cities, hamlets and camps, including East Jerusalem in order to improve the

living conditions of the Palestinian people and build up national economy;

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1. Appeals to the Quartet to send a peace-keeping force to secure the implementation of the Road-Map scheme.

2. Notes with deep appreciation the assistance provided by some Member

States and the OIC relevant institutions.

3. Commends the efforts made by the Palestine National Authority in the Palestinian territory and its camps in order to reconstruct what was destroyed by Israeli occupation as well as the Palestinian steadfastness in the face of Israeli aggression and urges Member States and other relevant parties to exert further efforts and provide greater assistance to build up a national economy, develop and consolidate it.

4. Expresses deep appreciation for the assistance provided by some

Member States to the Palestinian people to build up their national economy and

urges Member States and relevant OIC bodies to provide, as early as possible,

the required and approved assistance to enable the Palestine National Authority

and the Palestinian people to build up a national economy and consolidate their

national institutions as the infrastructure of these institutions was totally

destroyed by the Israeli occupying forces.

5. Reaffirms the previous resolutions on providing all forms of support

and assistance: economic, technical, material and moral to the Palestinian

people and the Palestinian National Authority, recommending preference in

import to Palestinian products, exempting them from taxes and customs duties.

6. Urges businessmen and investors of Member States to contribute to the

implementation of economic, industrial, agricultural and housing projects in

the Palestinian territory, with a view to building up the national economy and

enabling the Palestine National Authority and its national institutions to

implement their development programmes, during the coming period, in the

various economic, social and health fields.

7. Appeals to Member States, to provide employment opportunities to the

Palestinian labour force, given the harsh condition imposed by the Israeli

occupation forces, with a view to enhancing the socio-economic condition of

the Palestinian people and putting an end to unemployment.

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Annex 9 to OIC/COMCEC721-05/REP

8. Urges Member States to conclude bilateral agreements with the

Palestine Liberation Organization and its National Authority in the economic,

commercial and social fields, with a view to enhancing the socio-economic

condition of the Palestinian people.

9. Urges all OIC Member States and affiliated institutions to provide

urgent assistance to build up a strong and independent Palestinian national

economy.

10. Requests the OIC Secretary General to pursue his efforts aimed at

implementing the previous resolutions adopted in support of the State of

Palestine and submit a progress report thereon to the next COMCEC Session.

B. Assistance to Lebanon

The Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of

the Organization of the Islamic Conference (COMCEC),

Recalling resolution 13/10-EC(IS) adopted by the 10th Session of the

OIC Summit;

Recalling resolution 13/31-EC adopted by the 31st Session of the OIC

Ministers of Foreign Affairs;

Also recalling the Israeli aggressions against Lebanon and ensuing

damages and loss of lives as well as properties, and their repercussions on

political and economic conditions in Lebanon;

Lauding the efforts exerted by the Lebanese Government to ensure

security and stability, exercise its authority, reconstruct and provide the needs

of Lebanese citizens living in areas earlier occupied by Israel.

Taking into consideration the difficulties confronted by Lebanese

citizens living in the region under Israeli occupation and neighbouring areas;

Having reviewed the report of the Secretary General in this regard:

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1. Expresses its appreciation to the Islamic and Arab countries for the assistance extended within the framework of the Donors' Conference (Paris 2).

2. Expresses its appreciation for the assistance granted by OIC relevant bodies.

3. Denounces the refusal of Israel to withdraw from parts of the Lebanese territory, including Shaba'a farms, and beyond the internationally recognized Lebanese borders.

4. Condemns Israel for refusing to hand over detailed maps of areas where landmines were planted thereby in the South and West of the Bekaa valley, a matter that exposes civilian life to extreme danger. Also condemns Israel for detaining Lebanese citizens in its prisons.

5. Emphasizes its support to Lebanon in its sovereign right to exercise its political options within its constitutional procedures and institutions bearing in mind Lebanon's right to maintain relations with sisterly and friendly countries on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, its national interests, good neighborliness, equality and peerage.

6. Considers that unraveling the truth about the terrorist assassination crime that claimed the life of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and his colleagues, and penalizing the culprits, whoever and wherever they are, would help re-entrench security and stability in Lebanon and the region.

7. Reaffirms its previous recommendations related to the necessity to extend urgent assistance, financial, humanitarian and in kind to Lebanon in light of its requirements in the economic, technical and training fields and reiterates its request to OIC Member States and other international and regional organizations to take urgent and active measures to contribute to the reconstruction of what was destroyed by the Israeli occupation and respond to the call for holding a Conference of donor countries for this purpose.

8. Calls upon Member States to extend exceptional facilities to allow access by Lebanese products to their markets without any obstacles in order to re-inforce its economy which is the fundamental pillar for Lebanese resistance and steadfastness against Israeli aggression.

154


9. Requests the Secretary-General to follow up this matter and report to

the next COMCEC session.

C. Economic Assistance to the Republic of Albania

Recalling relevant resolutions of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference

(resolution 18/10-EC), the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers and

the 20th Session of the COMCEC;

1. Expresses deep appreciation for the assistance extended by some

Member States and OIC relevant bodies.

2. Expresses its strong support to the people of Albania beset by major

economic difficulties at the present phase of their transition towards a market

economy.

3. Urges OIC Member States, Islamic institutions and international

organizations to grant generous economic assistance to Albania so that the

Government of Albania may successfully implement its development

programme.

4. Requests the Secretary General to follow up this matter and report to

the next COMCEC Session.

D. Economic Measures in Support of Uganda



the 20th session of the COMCEC;

1. Invites Member States, Islamic institutions and international

organizations to grant urgent financial and economic assistance to Uganda so

that it may cope with the refugee problems and other related consequences as

well as implement its economic, social and cultural programmes.

155


2. Urges that Member States, Islamic Institutions and organizations to extend urgent and substantial assistance to the people of Northern Uganda.

3. Requests the Secretary General to liase with Government of Uganda

and the follow-up this matter urgently.

E. Economic Measures in Support of The Islamic State of Afghanistan

Recalling earlier resolutions of the 10,h Islamic Summit Conference

(resolution 19/10-EC), the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers

(resolution 9/32-E) and the 20th session of the COMCEC;

Recalling further the final communique of the 9th Extraordinary

Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Doha on 10th

October 2001;

Noting the extraordinarily grave situation prevailing in the Islamic State

of Afghanistan;

1. Recognizes that the Islamic State of Afghanistan was on the verge of a

great human tragedy and the impending humanitarian catastrophe calls for

immediate emergency relief measures.

2. Urges the Member States and Islamic institutions to extend urgent and

substantial assistance to the people of the Islamic State of Afghanistan.

3. Commends those Member States that have already provided assistance

to the people of the Islamic State of Afghanistan.

4. Expresses its deep appreciation for the creation of a fund for the

Afghan people by the 9th Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Conference of

Foreign Ministers. This fund should be established as soon as possible.

5. Expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the OIC Member States

for their generous contribution to the newly formed OIC Fund for the welfare

of Afghan refugees to return from neighbouring and other countries to their

own country.

156


6. Requests the Secretary General to follow up this matter and report to the next COMCEC session.

F. Economic Measures in Support of the Republic of Somalia

Recalling resolutions of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference (resolution 15/10-EC), the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (resolution 13/32-E) and the 20th Session of the COMCEC;

1. Expresses appreciation for the assistance extended by some Member States and OIC relevant bodies.

2. Urges OIC Member States, to provide material and other assistance on an emergency basis to Somalia.

3. Commends those Member States that have already provided aid and assistance to the people of Somalia.

4. Requests the Secretary General to follow up this matter and report to the next COMCEC Session.

G. Economic Assistance to the Kyrgyz Republic

Recalling relevant Resolution of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference (resolution 22/10-EC), the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers and the 20th Session of the COMCEC;

Expressing its understanding of the situation which has arisen in the Kyrgyz Republic after attainment of independence and sovereignty;

Taking into consideration the economic difficulties of the transitional period to the free market economy;

1. Expresses deep appreciation for the assistance extended by some Member States and OIC relevant bodies.

157


2. Appeals to all Member States and Islamic financial institutions to

contribute generously to the process of overcoming the economic difficulties

experienced by the Kyrgyz Republic, either on a bilateral basis or through

multilateral and regional organizations, in order to enable the Kyrgyz

Republic to fulfil its economic programme.

3. Appeals also to the Islamic Development Bank to increase its financial and technical assistance to the Kyrgyz Republic.

4. Requests the Secretary General to follow up this matter and report to the

next COMCEC Session.

H. Economic Measures in Support of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Recalling the resolutions adopted by the 10th Islamic Summit

Conference (resolution 21/10-EC), and the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign

Ministers (resolution 10/32-E) and the 20th Session of the COMCEC expressing

support and assistance to the Republic of Azerbaijan;

Referring to the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions;

1. Strongly condemns continuous aggression by the Republic of Armenia

against the Republic of Azerbaijan resulting in the occupation of one fifth of its

territory and in one million of refugees and displaced Azeri people.

2. Reaffirms its support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the

Republic of Azerbaijan and the full solidarity of OIC Member States with the

government and people of Azerbaijan in this grave and very critical time of the

country's history.

3. Recognizes the need to reinforce the concrete solidarity of OIC Member States with the government and people of Azerbaijan.

4. Welcomes and appreciates the assistance extended by OIC Member

States and relevant bodies, the United Nations institutions and international

organizations.

158


5. Appeals to Member States and Islamic institutions to make available to the Government of Azerbaijan the much needed economic and humanitarian assistance with a view to alleviating the sufferings of the Azeri people.

6. Calls upon the international organizations to continue to grant humanitarian and economic assistance to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

7. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the matter and submit a report thereon to the next COMCEC Session.

I. Economic Measures in Support of Bosnia-Herzegovina

Guided by the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference emphasizing the common goals and destiny of the peoples of the Islamic Ummah and their commitment to the consolidation of international peace and security;

Recalling the previous resolutions adopted by the OIC expressing its Members' full solidarity with the Government and people of Bosnia-Herzegovina;

Taking also into account the resolutions adopted by the Extraordinary Sessions of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers on the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, held in Istanbul and Jeddah and followed by the special Ministerial Meeting held in Islamabad as well as the 21st through 32nd Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers (resolution 14/32-E), 10th Islamic Summit Conference (resolution 14/10-EC), and 20th session of the COMCEC;

Expressing its appreciation for the work of the Assistance Mobilization Group for Bosnia-Herzegovina, formed in 1995 during the Kuala Lumpur meeting of the OIC Contact Group Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense towards providing humanitarian and economic assistance for concrete rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Bosnia-Herzegovina;

1. Expresses deep appreciation for the assistance extended by Member States and OIC relevant bodies. It also stresses the importance of the continuation of the activities undertaken by the OIC Assistance Mobilization Group and noted with appreciation the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and

159


Industry's special programme to assist the private sector of Bosnia-

Herzegovina.

2. Welcomes the contributions of OIC Member States at the Donor

Conference for the reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina, held in Brussels in

April 1996 which encourages OIC Member States to pursue their efforts as

regards financial contributions for the final return of refugees adopted at the

OIC Conference held in Doha in May 2001 and expresses its satisfaction for

the efforts exerted by the OIC Committee for the Reconstruction of Bosnia-

Herzegovina.

3. Appeals to Member States, Islamic institutions and other donors to

make generous donations as well as provide financial aid to enable the early

implementation of the IDB programme aimed at providing humanitarian

assistance to the Government and people of Bosnia-Herzegovina for the

reconstruction of the country.

4. Expresses its appreciation for the assistance provided by the OIC

Member States and for the commendable efforts of those Islamic and other

international humanitarian bodies in providing relief and assistance to the

victims of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

5. Urges the International Community to take efficient measures to ensure

the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

6. Categorically demands that the sovereignty, territorial integrity and

political independence of Bosnia-Herzegovina be safeguarded and protected

within its internationally recognized frontiers and supports the Government of

Bosnia-Herzegovina in its intent to proceed on this sound basis for a just and

lasting solution to restore the confidence of its people so that they may continue

to live as a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious society.

7. Requests the OIC Member States, at the same time members of the

Peace Implementation Council in Bosnia-Herzegovina and its Coordination

Committee, to seek directing the biggest part of international assistance for the

reconstruction of Bosnia-Herzegovina and, in particular, the areas inhabited by

Muslim Bosnians.

160



J. Assistance to the Republic of Guinea

Recalling earlier resolutions of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference (resolution 16/10-EC), the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (resolution 11/32-E) and the 20th Session of the COMCEC;

Considering the role played by the Republic of Guinea, within the framework of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to establish peace and to ensure stability in some Member States;

Considering the presence of a huge number of refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone which constitutes an unbearable burden for the economy of the Republic of Guinea;

Being gravely concerned by the repeated aggressions against the Republic of Guinea on its borders with Liberia and Sierra Leone, resulting in loss of human lives, serious material damage and extensive displacement of the population within Guinea;

Considering the Declaration issued on 13 September 2000 by the UN Security Council, condemning these aggressions;

Considering the Final Communique of 13 September 2000 of the Coordination Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference condemning these aggressions and expressing its solidarity with the Republic of Guinea;

Considering the need for the Republic of Guinea to reconstruct its country, ensure the survival of the displaced population and the return of the refugees to their respective countries;

Noting with satisfaction that a joint mission OIC/IDB visited the zones affected by rebel attacks with a view to assessing the damage and destruction resulting from the attacks and prepare a reconstruction program;

161


1. Expresses its support to and solidarity with the people and the Government of Guinea.

2. Invites the international community and the OIC Member States to

provide the Republic of Guinea with substantial financial and material

assistance, so that it may cope with the difficulties caused by the aggressions

waged against the Republic of Guinea and the presence of hundreds of

thousands of refugees, who are Muslims in majority, on its territories.

3. Appeals to the Islamic Development Bank to increase its assistance,

either as subventions or loans at favourable conditions, to the Republic of

Guinea, so that it may create the social infrastructures needed for the displaced

population and refugees, and overcome the deterioration of the environment

brought about by this massive human presence.

4. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the matter and report

thereon to the following COMCEC Session.

K. Assistance to the Republic of Sierra Leone

Recalling the pertinent Resolutions adopted by the 10th Islamic Summit

Conference (resolution 17/10-EC), the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign

Ministers (resolution 13/32-E) and the 20th Session of the COMCEC;

1. Appeals to Member States and Islamic institutions of the Organization

of Islamic Conference of which Sierra Leone has always been an active

member, whose people have experienced the most brutal acts of violence, to

urgently extend substantial financial and material assistance to the war ravaged

country to enable its people to rebuild the infrastructure and to undertake the

much needed rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of returnees and

displaced inhabitants of about 1,5 million.

2. Appeals to those Member States which have not generously

contributed to the OIC trust fund for the reconstruction and economic

rehabilitation of Sierra Leone to kindly do so to accelerate the reconstruction

efforts currently undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Sierra

Leone.

162


3. Requests the Secretary General to use his good offices to accelerate the

approval process of projects already identified for Sierra Leone.

4. Requests the Secretary General to follow up this matter and report to

the next COMCEC Session.

L. Assistance to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan In The Wake of Earthquake

The Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of

the Organization of the Islamic Conference (COMCEC),

Deeply concerned about the loss of human life and the unprecedented

destruction of property and infrastructure caused by the devastating earthquake

in Pakistan on 8 October 2005,

Recognizing that natural disasters constitute a development problem of

great magnitude, the solution of which calls for substantial resources, requiring

national efforts to be supplemented by international financial and technical

assistance,

Recognizing also the large-scale relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction

efforts of the Government and the people of Pakistan to alleviate the suffering

of disaster victims,

Noting the appeal made by the Secretary-General of the OIC to the

Islamic Ummah for help and assistance for the earthquake-affected people of

Pakistan,

Noting also the appeal to the international community made by the

Heads of State and the Government of Pakistan to come forward with

assistance in order to help the country to recover from the disastrous

earthquake,

1. Expresses its solidarity with the Government and the people of

Pakistan, who are bravely facing the disaster;

163


2. Appeals to all Member States, OIC Subsidiary organs, specialized and

affiliated institutions, as well as Islamic financial institutions and non

governmental organizations, to respond urgently and generously in order to

assist Pakistan in its relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts and

programmes following the unprecedented calamity;

3. Expresses its gratitude to Member States, international organizations

within and outside the OIC, non-governmental organizations and individuals

and groups that have so generously assisted the Government of Pakistan in its

immediate relief and rehabilitations efforts;

4. Requests the OIC Secretary-General to report to the 33rd ICFM and 22nd

Session of COMCEC on the collaborative effort referred to in paragraph 2

above.

M. Assistance to the Kashmiri People

Recalling the relevant resolution of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference


(resolution 15/32-E) and the 20th Session of COMCEC;

Noting that the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian occupied

Kashmir have continued to suffer from grave atrocities and serious repression

which have continued against them with increased intensity resulting in greater

economic hardship for the people;

1. Recognizes the need for immediate economic assistance to alleviate the

suffering of the innocent and displaced Kashmiris.

2. Appeals to all Member States and Islamic institutions, particularly the

Islamic Solidarity Fund and the Islamic Development Bank to grant immediate

assistance to suffering Kashmiri people.

3. Also appeals to all OIC Member States and Islamic institutions to grant

scholarships to Kashmiri students in different universities and educational

institutions in the OIC countries.

164


4. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the matter and report to the

next COMCEC session.

N. Economic Assistance to the Republic of Yemen

Recalling the relevant resolutions of the 10th Islamic Summit

Conference (resolution 24/10-EC), the 32nd Islamic Conference of Foreign

Ministers (resolution 13/32-E) and the 20th Session of the COMCEC;

Taking into consideration the economic difficulties faced by the

Republic of Yemen, which arose from the burden of reunification and the big

losses caused by the aborted secession attempt in June 1994 as well as the

devastating flood which swept the Republic of Yemen in 1996;

Appreciating the efforts made and the success achieved by the

Government of Yemen in implementing the Comprehensive Programme of

Administrative and Financial Reform;

Taking into consideration the heavy burden borne by the Yemeni

Government to provide shelter for groups of refugees from neighbouring

African countries;

Recalling that Yemen is one of the least developed countries:

!. Expresses its appreciation for the efforts of the Yemeni Government to

overcome its economic difficulties and to implement the Comprehensive

Programme of Administrative ind Financial Reform and the success achieved

in that regard.

2. Also expresses its appreciation for the assistance extended by some of

the Member States and by the relevant organs of the Organization of the

Islamic Conference.

3. Renews its call to Member States and all regional and international

organizations to extend all kinds of economic assistance to the Yemeni

Government to support its efforts aimed at implementing the Comprehensive

Programme of Administrative and Financial Reform and at alleviating the

ravages suffered by Yemen as a result of the floods as well as the heavy

165

.Minex 9 to OIC/COMCK'V2i-05/Rr:'P

burden c,i .sheltering large number of rcmgees from neighbouring African countries.

4, Requests the Secretary General to follow up this matter and report to the next CQMCEC Session.

O. Economic Assistance to Tajikistan



(resolution 13/32-E) and the 20th Session of the COMCFC;

Taking into account the objectives and principles of the OIC Charter as

wed •; member./ commitment to consolidate international peace and security;

Deeph concerned with the crhica! situation which Tajikistan has laced

after six years of bloods civil war. which resulted in death, injury and

displacement of tliousands of people as well as destruction of its economic and

social infrastructures;

Noting the return of about 200,000 Tajik refugees to their homeland

which necessitates a great financial and technical support;

Recalling the report of the World Food Programme which estimates that

25 per cent of Tajikistan's population is in dire need of food aid;

Noting with concern the marked spread of infectious diseases such as

tuberculosis and diarrhea, victims of which are especially infants, children and

women;

1. Expresses deep appreciation to the assistance extended by some

Member States.

2. Appeals to all members and Islamic financial institutions to make their

generous contributions to the process of overcoming the economic difficulties

experienced by Tajikistan either on a bilateral basis or through multilateral and

regional organizations to enable Tajikistan to fulfil its rehabilitation

programmes.

166


3. Urges the Islamic Development Bank to increase its financial and

technical assistance to Tajikistan.



P. Economic Assistance to Guinea Bissau

Recalling earlier resolutions of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference, the

Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers and the 20th Session of the COMCEC;

Noting the political and social disorders that have recently erupted in

Guinea Bissau and their consequences on the economic activities of the

country, namely the loss of the agricultural and export products marketing

campaign, the mass displacement of the population and the physical destruction

of the basic socio-economic infrastructure, such as schools, dispensaries,

hospitals, markets, residential areas, etc;

1. Urges Member States and the International Community to provide

Guinea Bissau with urgent aid to facilitate the reinsertion of its peoples in

active life.

2. Appeals to Member States and to OIC institutions to participate in the

rehabilitation and economic revival programme of Guinea Bissau.



Q. Economic Assistance to Countries Affected by Drought and Natural Disasters

Recalling earlier resolutions of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference


the 20th Session of the COMCEC;

Noting with concern the grave situation caused by drought and natural

disasters, and their damaging effects on economic and social conditions

167


specially in the agricultural, economic and social infrastructures, as well as public services and utilities;

Noting with satisfaction the efforts made by some Member States and the Islamic Development Bank which have extended and continue to extend technical and financial assistance as well as aid to Member States stricken by drought and natural disasters;

Fully aware that afflicted Member States, most of them belonging to the category of the Least Developed Countries, cannot by themselves, bear the growing burden of anti-drought and anti-desertification campaign and the implementation of major related projects;

1. Expresses its gratitude to Member States, which provided and are still providing assistance and food aid to the Member States affected by drought and natural disasters.

2. Expresses also its gratitude to IDB for its continuing assistance to Member States afflicted by drought and natural disasters and encourages the Bank to continue its assistance in this domain.

3. Appeals to the international community also to extend assistance to Member States struck by drought and natural disasters.

4. Calls upon the Member States and OIC Institutions to extend urgent assistance to OIC countries of Inter-governmental Authority for Development and the Campaign Against Drought (IGAAD) and Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) to enable them to overcome the difficult situation which has been threatening them for a long time.

5. Notes with appreciation the meeting of donor countries and national and regional financial institutions convened by Kuwait at IDB Headquarters in June, 1998 to consider the appropriate mechanisms for financing the new programmes.

168


6. Welcomes the contribution of 30 million US$ made by the State of

Kuwait in the form of soft development loans as well as the 20 million US$

contributed by the Islamic Development Bank for the new programme.

7. Also notes with appreciation that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has

embarked upon the implementation of its new programme for the control of

drought and desertification in the Sahelian African States.

8. Also expresses its appreciation to the Great Peoples Socialist Libyan

Jamahiriyah for the support and assistance it provides to the Islamic States to

improve their infrastructure, alleviate the ills of extreme poverty, drought and

natural disasters and ameliorate the health, social and cultural conditions

through donations, soft loans and assistance in kind.


R. Assistance to Sahelian African States Afflicted by

Desertification, Drought and Locust Invasion

Having taken cognizance of resolution (27/7-IS) of the 7th Islamic

Summit on Islamic Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel;

Taking into account the need for the urgent implementation of the

OIC/CILSS/IDB Programme for the Sahel, which could be compromised if not

implemented as soon as possible;

Recalling resolutions of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference, the 32nd

Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers and the 20th Session of the COMCEC;


Member States and OIC relevant bodies.

2. Appeals to all Member States and Islamic institutions to extend urgently

special assistance to enable Sahelian African States to cope with the lack of

cereal crops and poor grazing land and a result of weak rain falls and locusts

invasion.

169


3. Expresses its appreciation of the efforts made by the OIC General Secretariat, CILSS and the IDB in the elaboration and finalization of the OIC/CILSS/IDB Programme for the Sahel.

4. Reaffirms the necessity of giving priority to the rapid implementation of the Special OIC/CILSS/IDB Programme for the Sahel.

5. Appeals urgently to Member States to contribute generously and

substantially to the funding of the OIC/CILSS/IDB Programme in favour of the

Sahel populations to crystallize the OIC Member States solidarity with these

populations, alleviate their sufferings and ensure sustained development for the

Sahel region.

6. Notes with appreciation the meeting of donor countries and national and

regional financial institutions convened by Kuwait in June 1998 to consider the

appropriate mechanisms for financing the new programme.

7. Welcomes the 30 million US $ contribution made by Kuwait in the form

of soft development loans as well as the 20 million US $ provided by the

Islamic Development Bank for the new programme.

8. Also notes with appreciation the initiation by the Kingdom of Saudi

Arabia of the third phase of its program in favour of the Sahelian African

States to combat drought and desertification.

9. Urges Member States to announce their contributions to the new

programme in favour of the Sahelian African States.

10. Requests the OIC General Secretariat to follow up this matter and report

to the next COMCEC Session.

S. Economic Assistance to the Republic of Mozambique

Noting with satisfaction that the Mozambique's Presidential and

Legislative elections held on 1-2 December, 2004, was carried out peacefully

and in a transparent manner, which created conditions to reinforce democratic

process and to continue to implementation of economic and social programmes,

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Appreciating the efforts being made by the Government of Mozambique in the implementation programme for eradication of poverty and for economic development;

1. Appeals to the Islamic Development Bank, all Islamic Institutions and

the International community in general to continue rendering their assistance in

order to ensure the socio-economic development of Mozambique.

2. Urges the developed countries to write off the external debt of

Mozambique in the light of its current efforts to eradication of poverty.

3. Calls upon all Member States to continue their support to the

implementation of the programme of reconstruction of Mozambique.


Member States and relevant OIC institutions.

5. Urges the international community to render assistance for setting up

national, sub-regional, regional and international disaster prevention,

preparedness and management mechanisms, including early warning systems.

11. 6. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of

this resolution and submit a report thereon to the twenty second session of the

COMCEC.

T. Economic Assistance to the Republic of Sudan

Recalling the resolutions adopted by the Islamic Summit Conference

and the Foreign Ministers meetings in earlier sessions on the support of Sudan,

1. Expresses deep conce n over the suffering by Sudan from the traces of

the ravaging war imposed thereon, the influx of refugees and the displaced as a

result of conflict, natural disasters, drought, desertification and floods;

2. Commends the positive developments taking place in the Republic of

Sudan leading to the signing on January 9th, 2005 of the Comprehensive Peace

Agreement, also welcomes the formation of the national unity government, and

re-affirms its assistance to the Republic of Sudan for building peace and

development in the interest of the unity and stability of Sudan;

3. Lauds the positive response by the Islamic Development Bank to the

Urgent Assistance Programme, already initiated, and calls upon the other states

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and institutions to extend urgent assistance to support the programme with a

view to removing the traces of war, drought, desertification and natural

disasters as well as their effects on the infrastructure and social and economic

structures;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to follow up this matter and report to

the coming COMCEC Session.

U. Economic Measures in Support of the Republic of Iraq

Recalling the resolution of the 10th Islamic Summit and that of the

Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers preceding it on support to the Iraqi

people.

1. Expresses its conviction that the Iraqi people should enjoy the required standard of living and economic flexibility to enable them to overcome the consequences of war and economic embargo they underwent for reasons beyond their control.

2. Appeals to the OIC Member States to exert their utmost efforts to

support and extend urgent assistance to Iraq and non-interference in its internal

affairs so that it may effectively contribute to the security and stability of the

region. This will promote the achievement of development in Iraq, resolve

economic problems and structural distortions in the Iraqi economy.

3. Highlights the need and importance of enhanced security environment

and measures because of terrorist activities for those civilian drivers and other

personnel working for the reconstruction of Iraq as well as for the supply of

humanitarian assistance to Iraqi people.

4. Also urges Member States to contribute, in the coming period, to the

reconstruction of Iraq.

5. Requests the OIC Secretary General to follow up this matter and report

thereon to the next COMCEC Session.

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ANNEX

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Annex 10 toOIC/COMCEC/21-05/REP

REPORT A N D RECOMMENDATIONS OF

T H E WORKSHOP O N

"THE ROLE OF TOURISM IN T H E PROMOTION OF ECONOMIC COOPERATION AMONG T H E OIC MEMBER STATES"

In compliance with the recommendation n° 1 paragraph 87 of the 20 t h Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation among the OIC Member States (COMCEC), held from 23 r d to 27 t h November 2004 in Istanbul and which chose the "Role of Tourism in the promotion of Economic Cooperation among the OIC Member States", the ICDT organises under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Handicraft and Social Economy of the Kingdom of Morocco and in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank Group and the other OIC institutions, a workshop on this topic on 14 th and 15 th J u n e 2005 in Hotel Sheraton-Casablanca.

OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP:

The main aims of this workshop are:

» To gather experts from Member States, and the OIC institutions as well as from international and regional organisations in order to make an appraisal of the tourism sector in the OIC Member States;

. To examine the ways and means likely to promote the best practices in this field and give impetus and facilitate intra-OIC tourist flows;

- To formulate a set of concrete recommendations aimed at helping decisionmakers to provide for the required intra-OIC tourism facilitation measures;

• To identify the most promising cooperation fields and market openings in this sector that can contribute to the growth of intra-OIC tourist flows and to the development of intra-OIC partnership and investment.

- The Meeting was attended by the:

OIC General Secretariat

Representatives from the following OIC Member States:

Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Gambia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco (Ministry of Tourism, Handicraft and Social Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Ministry of foreign Trade), Mauritania, Qatar, Senegal, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.

The following OIC institutions also attended this workshop:

• The Islamic Development Bank Group. • The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO).

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• The Statistical, Economic, Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRTCIC).

• The Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT).

The Representatives of International and Regional Organisations.

• The United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The Representatives of Public or Private Enterprises notably,

• The National Federation of Tourism of Morocco (CGEM), the Regional Council of Tourism in Casablanca.

The following OIC institutions have contributed to this workshop by written papers that were read out during the proceedings of the workshop.

The Research Centre for Islamic Art and Culture (IRCICA). The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and industry (ICCI).

(The List of participants in annex n°l).

A/ OPENING SESSION:

- After the recitation of verses from the Holy Koran, Mr. Allal RACHDI, Director General of the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade took the floor to convey his deep gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicraft and Social Economy of the Kingdom of Morocco that has kindly accepted to organise this event under its patronage and extended also his warm welcome to participants.

Mr. Allal RACHDI underlined the importance invested by this workshop whose organisation was recommended by the 20 t h Session of the COMCEC, which has mandated ICDT to organise this workshop under the theme: "Role of Tourism in the Promotion of Economic Cooperation among the OIC Member States" within the framework of the preparation of the next exchange of views of the COMCEC, which will deal with this theme at its 2 1 s t Session.

The choice of Tourism, added Mr. RACHDI reflects the great importance given to the Tourism sector in the OIC agenda, in view of the role played by this sector at the level of Member States ' economies and which contributes to improving the s tandard of living of populations through the reduction of unemployment and poverty. One should also keep in mind that this sector at tracts investments in infrastructure and contributes to enhancing the importance of the historical monuments and archaeological sites and contributes to opening up the rural areas.

The report and recommendations of this workshop will be submitted for adoption by the 2 1 s t Session of the COMCEC that will be held from 22 n d to 25 t h

November 2005 in Istanbul concomitantly with the 1s t Tourism Fair of Islamic Countries to be held from 24 t h to 26 t h November 2005 and he invited Member States to actively participate in this event.

Even though the OIC Member Countries are among the most attractive areas due to their cultural and geographical diversity, Inter-Islamic Tourism does not meet the real expectations of the Islamic world.

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He therefore underlined that this workshop would be for the economic operators of the private and public sectors a good opportunity to exchange their views, present the national experiences of the different countries in this field and to examine the ways and means likely to facilitate and increase the Intra-OIC tourist flows.

Finally, Mr. RACHDI reiterated his deepest thanks and gratitude to the Government of his Majesty the King Mohammed the Sixth and to the OIC institutions, which have contributed to this workshop, particularly the Islamic Development Bank Group. He also conveyed his thanks to the experts and the professional associations for their constructive and fruitful participation in the debates and their submission of concrete recommendations to enhance the level of intra-OIC cooperation in the tourism sector.

Then Mr. Homai'd AL OUTAÎBY read out the message addressed to participants by H.E. Prof. Dr. EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU, the OIC Secretary General.

In his speech HE Prof. Dr. EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU paid special tribute to His Majesty Mohamed the Sixth, King of Morocco for His sustained support to the OIC and expressed His warm thanks to the Moroccan Authorities for the measures and the excellent arrangements they have made to ensure the success of this workshop.

In His address, His Excellency emphasized the importance of tourism nowadays, since it h a s proved to be an Industry that yields some of the highest growth rates in comparison with the other traditionally known industries. In fact, apart from being a source of revenues and a job creator, it is a means of combating poverty and it also contributes to a large extent to in the GNP of several countries in the world. Such a performance is corroborated by the projections of the World Tourism Organisation, which indicate that the number of tourists in the world will exceed 700 millions this year and will be around one billion by 2010. In the same context, tourist hosting countries are expected to reap about US$ 621 billion from this sector this year and about US$ 1550 billion by 2010.

Besides, H.E. Prof. Dr. EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU also added that tourism is not only considered as a source of revenue for a particular country, bu t also a tool for promoting cooperation and establishing closer links among countries and nations and realizing an optimal understanding for the Islamic values, ar ts and culture of each OIC Member State an it is in this perspective that the OIC adopted an included tourism as one of the priority areas within the framework of the Plan of Action for strengthening Economic and Commercial Cooperation among OIC Member States.

In conclusion, H.E. Prof. Dr. EKMELEDDIN IHSANOGLU expressed his hope that the proceedings of this workshop would end by a set of concrete recommendations that would contribute to promoting the tourism sector in the OIC Member States and strengthening economic cooperation among these countries and he added that the General Secretariat will spare no effort to extend assistance and support in order to contribute to the development of this important sector.

- In his speech, Mr. Abderrahim DAOUDI, Representative of the Ministry of Tourism, Handicraft and Social Economy extended his warm welcome to

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participants and conveyed his thanks to 1CDT for the efforts made by the Centre to organise this workshop, which will undoubtedly be a decisive point to consolidate Inter-Islamic Cooperation in the Tourism sector.

He also added that this workshop aims at assessing the present situation of the tourism sector in the OIC Countries and identifying the ways and means that would develop this sector in order to initiate intra-OIC tourism facilitation measures, which are imperative in a conjuncture marked by market openness, globalisation and economic groupings. The OIC Member States should therefore, devise a common strategy, to unify their positions and defend their interests so as to become a privileged partner at world level, especially as the Islamic world is endowed with a cultural and geographical diversity.

Nowadays, Tourism is invested with a great importance in view of the role it plays in the economies of Member States, furthermore, as it is a tool that throws into relief Islamic culture a well as the h u m a n principles of solidarity, peace and tolerance that characterise the Muslim religion.

Finally, Mr. DAOUDl commended the role played by the OIC at the level of Tourism Ministers in promoting and developing this sector in Islamic Countries and emphasized the need for making recommendations that would bring out lourisi destinations, the Art and Culture of the Islamic world and counteract the harmful propaganda against Islam through campaigns using the information and telecom m arı icat tons technologies.

- Taking the floor on behalf of the Islamic Development Croup, Mr. BENALİ delivered a speech conveying his feelings of gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting this important event, he also extended his warmest thanks to ICDT for the excellent conditions in which he organised this workshop and the OIC Member Sates' experts who will contribute to the preparation of the exchange of views which deal with a sector invested with a prime importance for the Islamic Joint action.

Mr. BENALI recalled to participants that the IDB Group intervenes indirectly in the tourism sector in so far as its financing schemes concern several sectors involving tourism activities, such as structural infrastructures relating to transport, telecommunications and urban sanitation and drinking water.

- Mr. Azzelarab KETTANI h a s then taken the floor in the name of the National Tourism Federation of the Kingdom of Morocco welcoming all participants to Morocco, which is known for its hospitality and tolerance.

He added t h a t it is a long time since a number of countries, have realised the importance of the travel industry, which will become the industry of the future. In fact, the World Tourism organisation shows in its forecasts that in spite of the substantial oil and mining wealth, tourism is expected to become, the first economic resource worldwide by 2030.

Mr. KETTANI h a s on the other hand, underlined the weakness and low level of the tourist flows, in comparison with the European or South American Countries, while Member States are gifted with the richest civilisation and historical achievements of the planet. Therefore, he added Member States have to pool their resources together and make every effort to further develop and promote not only international but also inter-OIC tourism industry.

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He also pointed out that this weakness is due to large extent to gaps in the field of trade promotion of our destinations and to the inadequate coordination of our actions, and also to the persisting barriers related to border crossing and visas etc...

He also criticized the lack of adaptation of the product offered to the lifestyle and customs of Arabo-Islamic culture, in this respect, Mr. KETTANI pointed that the practice of group tourism and the intervention of Tours operators is crucial.

B/ PROCEEDINGS OF THE WORKSHOP AND SYNTHESIS of DEBATES:

Before resuming its proceedings, the workshop elected its bureau as follows:

Chairman : Kingdom of Morocco Vice Chairman : State of Malaysia Vice Chairman : Republic of Mali Rapporteur : Mr. Azzelarab KETTANI (National Federation of

Tourism of the Kingdom of Morocco).

The proceedings of the workshop continued on in plenary session at which, experts representing the following Member States and Organisations made presentations:

* "International Tourism Promotion: Trade Investment and Development Perspectives for Islamic Countries", presented by Mr. David DIAZ BENAVIDES-UNCTAD;

* "The WTO negotiations in the Tourism Sector", presented by Mr Hassan BENSEDDIK (consultant).

* "International Tourism in the OIC countries : prospects and challenges", presented by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRTCIC) ;

» "Role of the private sector in the promotion of cooperation in the tourism sector among the OIC Member States", presented by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICO);

* "The role of crafts in the development of Tourism» presented by the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) ;

. "The ISESCO's efforts aiming at protecting the cultural and architectural heritage of the OIC Member States" presented by Mr .SALAH SALEM- the Islamic, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) ;

- Paper of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia * Paper of Malaysia * Paper of the Republic of Turkey * Paper of Tunisia •> Paper of the Kingdom of Morocco . Paper of the Republic of Senegal.

- Besides, the Representative of the Republic of Mali presented the project of transborder protected parks and areas in West Africa initiated by the Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal.

From the papers presented during the workshop and debates the following conclusions have been made:

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Evolution of tourism sector: Main trends and challenges

International tourism demand is submitted to the fluctuations of the exchange rate as well as to the impact of domestic incentives provided to this sector. In case of political instability, health hazards, or the wars, it can be strongly and noticeably affected.

After three years of stagnation, with a cumulated growth lower than 1%, international tourism h a s shown in 2004 an impressive recovery. According to the data collected by the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the arrivals of international tourists was estimated at 760 million last year, such level has been recorded before and accounts for a 10% increase in comparison with 2003, while in J anua ry 2004, their increase was estimated at 9% and in August at 6%.

The number of tourists increased from 25 millions in 1950 to more than 700 billion in 2002 and fell afterwards to 526 million in 2004. According to the world Tourism organisation, this figure is expected to show a twofold increase by the 2020 corresponding to an annual growth of 6.6%.

Growth was observed in all the areas, but it was particularly strong in Asia and in the Pacific (+29%) and in the Middle East (+20%). A growth with two digits was noted in the Americas (+10%), while Africa (+7%) and Europe (+4%) showed results below the world average, even if they are far better than in the previous years. The year 2004 was marked by the strong recovery of Asia and Pacific after the drops that were recorded in 2003 as a result of the SRAS, positive results in the Americas and by a new distribution of the big tourist flows in Europe and in the Americas under the effect of the evolution of the rate of exchange between the US dollars and the Euro.

Europe is the first destination accounting for 240 billion US of receipts followed by the Americas (with 114 billion US dollars), then Pacific Asia (with 95 billion US dollars). The Middle East and Africa hold the two last positions with respectively 13 and 12 billion US dollars of receipts.

Tourism Industry provides jobs for about 207 million individuals in the world, i.e. 8% of total employment, this sector yields about 474 billion dollars and its contribution in the world GDP is about 11%.

The year 2004 marks the end of the crisis which h a s been raging in this sector since 2001 , and especially the 11 t h September terrorist at tacks. The recent t rends show tha t tourists prefer to stay near their countries. The opinions of experts are similar: "the sea, the sand and the sun" trilogy and the total environment change provided by exotic destinations are progressively becoming unfashionable.

International tourist arrivals dropped by 1.5% falling from about 691 million in 2003 to 526 million in 2004 due to the war in Iraq, terrorist at tacks threats and SRAS epidemics.

- The world tourism structure is complex. It is essential to distinguish between international or transborder and domestic tourism in a given country. The importance of these forms of tourism varies from one country to another.

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There are two divergent markets . On the one hand, the strongly growing international and intercontinental market and the close or domestic market oriented towards individual tourism. Yet, the latter is mature nowadays and more and more predominated by excursionists and the owners of second homes whose expenditures do not often reach those of the use rs of traditional hotel industry.

As far as its s t ructure is concerned, the world tourism industry is experiencing a high concentration and is more and more predominated by the big travelling and tourism industry. Tours operators, air companies, hotel chains, large cruisers and car hiring companies have managed to exploit local potentials using international and even world encompassing strategies. They open and develop the new markets of u rban centres and populations aggregates. They seek quick re turns from invested capitals.

- The Multilateral Trade Negotiations within the WTO in the services sector

In the services sector, annex C of the July Package reiterates the commitments and objectives set during Doha Work program and in the guidelines of the GATS. It underscores the need for making significant offers in fields of interest to developing countries. Particularly, through the movement of physical persons (mode IV). It is also stipulated that revised offers should be submitted in May 2005 at the latest.

The decision stipulates also that efforts made to conclude negotiations with a view to working out rules should be intensified and a target technical assistance should be provided to developing countries to enable them to participate in an effective manner in negotiations on services.

Despite such instructions, negotiations since July have not shown any sign of progress in so much as the liberal process of the submission of requests and offers of market access is still showing a delay.

- Tourism in the OIC Member States

Tourism h a s become an important source of foreign exchange earnings, a job generator, a means to relieve the isolation of some areas and to establish a balance and equilibrium between the various areas of the OIC Member States. Tourism h a s open in some underdeveloped areas, new spaces to entrepreneurship and boosted human life.

The overall tourist receipts of the OIC Member States are estimated at about 37 billion US dollars, the total number of tourist arrivals is estimated at about 43 million tourists, i.e. 6% of the World tourism market.

The main tourist countries, which exceed one million tourists per year, are by order of importance: Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, UAE, Jo rdan and Bahrain. Furthermore, the three first countries of the classification account for 70% of the overall receipts generated by tourism, hence a strong concentration around some countries.

Intra-OIC tourism h a s been estimated at 18 million tourists in 2002, i.e. 45% of total arrivals, which shows a good integration level, bu t some countries carry most of their tourist activities through their agencies, in other OIC countries, such as Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, UAE and Oman.

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The main intra-OIC tourism destinations are Bahrain accounting for 3 million tourists, Jo rdan with 2.3 million tourists, Kuwait and Kazakhstan with 1.4 million tourists each, Tunisia with 1.3 million tourists, Egypt 1.1 million tourists. Some big tourist destinations, such as Malaysia and Turkey receive very small number of OIC tourists comparatively with their accommodation capacity.

The main intra-OIC tourist resources of the OIC countries are the following:

S The landscape and nature S The Holy shrines of Islam S Beach resorts •S Trade and tourist events (exhibitions, business and trade weeks etc. . ) S The history and culture of Islamic countries S Gastronomy S Sports and active tourism S Arts and crafts

Intra-OIC tourism h a s become a very important market especially after the 11 t h

September 2001 events, when the USA and Europe was no more the first tourist or business destination of a large number of tourists from our Member States.

Of course, in a large number of the OIC countries, outgoing tourism is not very developed in terms of group organisation, especially in the Arab Countries where group trips is not yet very widespread.

But with the new promotional and communications techniques, the facilities granted to tours operators and the host countries, such cus toms could change and we may hope tha t intra-OIC tourism would take as in the event for example of destinations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Morocco, which are highly competing with the most frequented European destinations on the GGC market.

- Intra-OIC trade facilitation:

Various factors can facilitate or prevent the growth of intra-OIC- tourism. Visa delivery procedures, border formalities and customs regulations constitute the most current obstacles on the arrival of tourists. It is incumbent on governments only, to facilitate travels by reducing obstacles and making formalities easier and more efficient.

Accessibility is an essential condition for the success of tourism. To meet such a condition, t ransport means to and from a well-known destination should be handy and cheap. Air, land and sea transport means of prime importance require a particular planning and attention. The emergence on the market of a large number of air companies offering cheap prices, will to a large extent contribute to expanding tourism and possibly incite Governments to reconsider their policies in this field so as to meet such an evolution.

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PRESENTATION OF NATIONAL EXPERIENCES

Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Morocco, Syria, Senegal, Tunisia and Turkey presented their national experiences in the field of tourism and particularly in intra-OIC tourism.

These papers dealt with three aspects: The position of tourism in national economy, the promotion of tourist destination, the promotion of tourist investments and sustainable tourism development.

On the basis of the presentations on national experiences, it has been established tha t the success of national tourism policy depends on the mastering of the following parameters:

• The need for having a long term national vision and strategy in the tourism sector;

• The other sector-based policies should be consistent with the tourist strategy, in other words all the intervening parties in the tourist value chain should contribute to the success of the tourist strategy, particularly, the transport sector;

• The need for adapting offered products to the evolution of international and domestic;

• Diversification of offered products by widening the range of products beyond the classical products, such as beach tourism, ecotourism, mountain tourism, desert tourism, spa tourism (thalassotherapy, thermal resort etc..) and by extending it to education , and sports tourism as well.

• The need for having a good marketing policy not only at global level (organisation of campaigns to promote national destination and improve the image of the country), but also at microeconomic level, at the level or enterprises, which mus t master and penetrate the large distribution channels.

• The need for having an adequate infrastructure and improving tourism related services (catering business, maintenance of archaeological and cultural sites, reception at ports of entry, security, tourist guides, tourist entertainment programmes, booking etc.).

• The need for preserving the ar ts and crafts, architectural and ecological patrimony.

• Handicraft is also a highly valued asset by visitors, in view of its importance as a tourist development tool of tourism promotion; it requires a sustained safeguard and development.

Besides, participants have brought out some weaknesses that reduce the performance level of the tourist sector in some countries, particularly the Least Developed Countries such as:

• Low accommodation capacity in comparison with international demand; the existing potential, passenger handling capacity,

• Ageing infrastructures; • Very high seasonality (very high occupancy rate in peak season and

very low in off season); • Low integration in regional economy • Some perverse social effects, offence against public decency...);

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• Some negative effects on environment; • An extravert s tructure of the Capital due to the predominance of tours

operators and to the very high number of foreign operators, which tap almost all profits;

• The high prices of air transport.

C/ RECOMMENDATIONS:

While recalling the relevant resolutions of the four Islamic Conferences of Tourism Ministers held successively in Iran, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Senegal;

And notwithstanding all the provisions of these resolutions, participants agreed upon the following recommendations relating to the OIC.

Recommendations to the OIC Bodies:

1. To consider the possibility of convening a meeting between the officials of the immigrations, interior department and customs to find an appropriate mechanism to facilitate the issue of entry visas.

2. To call upon the OIC institutions, each in its own field of specialization, to give special attention to the joint ventures initiated by the OIC Member States in the tourist sector (Feasibility studies, promotion at the level of the funding parties etc.).

3. To call on the ISESCO and IRCICA to initiate an awareness program of the importance of cultural tourism as a means of dialogue between civilizations and to improve the image of Islam in the world. The private sector, the international large organizations and concerned donor institutions and organizations may also contribute to such a program.

4. To urge the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT), which organizes on a regular basis once every two years the Tourism Fair of Islamic Countries, to give more importance to the tourist sector by initiating new activities specific to this sector: investment forums, seminars, meetings between Tourism Promotion Organs etc...

5. The workshop takes note with satisfaction of the project of transborder protected parks and areas in West Africa initiated by the Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal and recommends to submit it for consideration to the Sessional Committee of the COMCEC that will be held on the sidelines of the 2 1 s t Session of the COMCEC in Istanbul from 22n d to 25 t h November 2005.

6. To draw up a communication and general information program on cultures and civilization of Islamic Countries. This program that will be drawn up in several languages with a view to promoting tourism, the wealth and the role played by Islamic civilization in humankind history, will allow access to Islamic heritage via Internet, with interactive links and themes to be defined by all the OIC Member States. For the design of this program, it would be beneficial to draw one's inspiration from MEDINA (MEDITERRANEAN by Internet Access) and it may be called: ATIC (Access to Tourism and Islamic Culture).

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7. To call on SESRTCIC to set up an information network specific to tourism and tourism related services and urge Member States to provide necessary data to SESRTCIC.

8. To call on SESRTCIC to organize executive training sessions in the field of tourism in collaboration with the specialized institutions in the OIC Member States.

9. To entrust SESRTCIC with establishing linkages or networks among tourism training institutions in the OIC Countries (Tourism school, hotel management school etc. . ) facilitating exchange of experts, trainers, and trainees and research and tourism development and to initiate a capacity building program of h u m a n resources in this sector (organization of training workshops intended for trainers, forums on the evolution of the tourism industry and the future strategies to be adopted in this field e t c . ) .

10. To extend assistance for the creation of Tourism Observatories in Islamic Countries. To this end the experience of Morocco could serve as a pattern. The Observatory could be seen as the focal point to process statistics on tourism including investments and the satellite account.

11. To request the UNCTAD and OIC to provide jointly technical assistance to individual countries in the preparation of guidelines to implement master plans for tourism development to capitalize benefits from investment and ensuring trade benefits and development gains from international tourism.

RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO MEMBER STATES:

12. To call on the OIC Member States to derive maximum benefit from the programs and services of the OIC Institutions and the World Tourism organization and other specialized regional and international Organizations.

13. To call on the OIC Member States to develop partnership agreements between the private and the public sector both at national and regional levels.

14. To encourage the establishment of alliances between tourism partners in the OIC Countries, particularly, the official tourism promotion bodies, with a view to strengthening joint Lourism marketing and promoting cooperation efforts at the sub-regions level as well as at the level of the OIC regions as a whole.

15. To produce joint programs and promotional materials on tourism like, TV programs, brochures, posters and guidebooks and making these materials available in the Member Countries as well as in the other countries around the world in order to promote the cultural heritage and the diversity and landmarks of the OIC Countries at regional and international levels.

16. To call on Member States to diversify tourism products by the inclusion of socio-cultural programs and traditional activities involving local communities. In this regard efforts should be made to improve planning, management and marketing of ecotourism, not only as a sector with a great potential for economic development, especially, in remote areas where few

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other possibilities exist but also as a significant tool for conservation of the natural environment and the sustainable tourism development.

17. To call on Member States to make the inventory of the different Arts and Crafts sectors of each Member State and make every effort in order to preserve them by the creation of apprenticeship workshops of Arts and Crafts.

18. To call on Member States to participate actively and massively in the 1st

Tourism Fair of Islamic Countries to be organized by the Republic of Turkey and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade in Istanbul from 24 t h to 26 t h November 2005.

19. To establish and facilitate linkages in air, land/rai l and sea and multimodal transportation with a view to easing access from one destination to another within the OIC region. In this context efforts should be made to establishing alliances among the airlines of the OIC Countries with the possibility of having an open-sky policy and direct flights between their capitals and major cities.

20. To consider the possibility of creating airlines of the OIC Member States and / or one or several charter carriers between the tours operators in the OIC Member States with a view to facilitating transport among Member States and reduce distances which impede intra-OIC tourism development.

21. To take necessary measures to facilitate the entry and movement of tourists among the OIC Member States and enhance intra-OIC tourism through, inter alia, simplifying visa issuance. It would be in the interest of the OIC Countries that citizens should be allowed to get visas on minimal charges upon arrival at the port of entry. Similarly, even more encouraging policy has to be established for transit visitors.

22. To urge the OIC Member States to consider the possibility of granting incentives to investment projects initiated by the Investors of the OIC Countries.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

23. To consider the possibility of setting up the Union of Tourism Operators of the OIC Member States with a view to establishing closer links between the professionals of these countries and incite them to collaborate in promotional and training fields.

24. To examine the possibility of creating a common fund for intra-OIC tourism promotion.

25. To set up a follow up committee for the implementation of the recommendations of this workshop.

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Motion of Thanks:

Participants in the workshop expressed their profound gratitude to His Majesty Mohammed the Sixth, King of Morocco for His High Solicitude towards the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade and the causes of the Islamic Ummah and conveyed their t hanks to the Government of the kingdom of Morocco for the warm welcome extended to delegations and the excellent organization of this workshop.

Participants expressed also their appreciation to the Director General of ICDT and IDB for the excellent arrangements that were provided to this workshop and which ensured its success.

Done in Casablanca on 15 t h J u n e 2005

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11


Original: English

REPORT OF THE 7th SESSIONAL COMMITTEE OF COMCEC


1. The 7th Sessional Committee of COMCEC was held on 21 November 2005,

prior to the 21st Session of the COMCEC (22-25 November 2005).

2. The Meeting was co-chaired H.E. Tori LIMANGANA, Assistant Secretary

General for Economic Affairs Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and

Ambassador Nabika DIALLO, Advisor to the Secretary General of the OIC.

3. In addition to the OIC General Secretariat and the COMCEC Coordination

Office (CCO) the following OIC Institutions attended the Meeting;

- General Secretariat of the OIC

- Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic

Countries (SESRTCIC)

Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT)

Islamic University of Technology (IUT)

Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICO)

In addition to the above OIC Institutions, the Turkish Institutions who are the owners of the projects also attended the Meeting.

4. The Meeting adopted the following agenda items for consideration:

a) Review of the Proposed Cooperation Projects within the OIC Plan of

Action,

b) Evaluation of the Outcome of the OIC Economic Conference, held on

23-27 November 2004 in Istanbul,

c) Any other business.

191


Under Agenda Item 1 :

5. As per the Decisions of the 6th Sessional Committee, the COMCEC Coordination Office (CCO) gave a presentation on the demarches undertaken with regards to the Project Proposals from Turkey. Thereafter, the owners of the Project Proposals made their presentations.

6. The Committee took the following Decisions as per the Projects (Annexed herewith):

Project No. 1 (Technical Cooperation Among Patent Offices in the OIC Member States), the owner of the Project namely Turkish Patent Office made a presentation. Thereafter the coordinator, the ICDT and the owner were asked to form the Project Committee and to contact World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and invite them to the future related Meetings.

IDB, in principle, is interested in studying its participation in cofinancing the above Project, once the Project Profile is finalised. Thereafter, the Project owner was requested to send the complete Project Profile to ICDT, the coordinator Institution, for circulation among member states and to IDB for consideration.

Project No. 2 (Technical Cooperation in the Area of Business Incubators Among OIC Member States), Small and Medium Industry Development Organisation of Turkey (KOSGEB), the owner of the Project made a presentation. In this context, the Committee noted ICCI and KOSGEB were cooperating in the finalisation of the Project Document. The Committee called upon the Project owner to send the Project to the ICCI for circulation to the member states. The Committee was informed that the name of the Project has been amended to "Networking of Incubators in Islamic Countries"

- Project No. 3 (Cooperation in the Area of Technical Development: Medium Range Regional Turbofan Airliner) TUSAŞ Aerospace Industries of Turkey (TAI), the owner of the Project, made a presentation. The Committee noted that the private sector may have some interest in this Project and called upon the owner to prepare the necessary documentation

192


and to establish contacts with the ICCI. It was also noted that IDB was

interested in the Project and expressed its readiness to consider the

participation in financing the first phase of its implementation, once the

full Project Profile is received. The Committee called upon the Project

owner to send the Project to the General Secretariat of OIC for circulation

to the member states and to the IDB for consideration.

- Project No. 4 (Provision of Technical Assistance for Establishment of

Technology Development Foundation in the OIC Member States) The

Committee called upon the Project owner, Turkish Technology

Development Foundation (TTGV), to send the Project to the 1UT for

circulation to the member states.

- Project No. 5 (Low Cost Imaging Based Mapping System Applications for

Monitoring of Natural and Anthropogenic changes in OIC Member

Countries Coasts). The owner of the Project, the Scientific and Technical

Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) made a presentation. IUT, in its

capacity as the coordinator of the Project, informed that it had contacted

the member states and so far, two institutions had shown interest. The

Committee also called for involving United Nations Environment

Programme (LTNEP) and ISESCO in the Project. The Committee cailed

upon the Project owner to send the Project to IUT for circulation to the

member states. It was also suggested that this Project could be submitted

to the Conference of the Ministers of Environment. IDB agreed to consider

financial support for implementation of the project.

Project No. 6 (World Gold Markets and Cooperation Possibilities among

Islamic Countries). The Committee entrusted SESRTCIC, in its capacity

as the coordinator of the Project, to circulate to the member states the

integral texts of the explanatory note and Project Profile Form it received

from Istanbul Gold Exchange (the owner of the Project). Should a

sufficient number of member states express their interest in the Project, the

owner of the latter shall call for a meeting of those states to explore the

ways and means of the actual implementation of the Project.

193


7. The Committee took the following Decisions for the following additional

Projects:

- Establishment of Energy Technology Network (en-tech-net) Among the

Member states. The Project Proposal was presented by the owner, General

Directorate of Electrical Power Resources Survey and Development

Administration (EIE). IUT was designated as the coordinator of the

Project. The Committee called upon its owner to prepare the summary and

send it to IUT for circulation.

TURKSAT Satellite Communication and Cable TV Operation AS of

Turkey (TURKSAT) presented two projects namely "Satellite Control and

Monitoring Centre (SATCMC)" and "Low Earth Orbit Satellite". The

Committee noted that the private sector may have some interest in these

Projects in promoting linkages among the media of OIC member states

and called upon the owner to prepare the necessary documentation and to

contact the ICCI.

- The new project proposal, namely "Creation of a Network of Cross-border

parks on Tourism and Reserves in West Africa", proposed in the Expert

Group Meeting on the implementation of the OIC Plan of Action in the

area of Tourism, 11-14 July 2005 in Tehran, will be coordinated by the

ICDT.

8. The Committee agreed to submit these additional Projects to the 21st Session

of the COMCEC for their inclusion in the existing list of Projects.

9. In order to work in a time frame, the Committee called upon the Project

owners and coordinators to ensure that the Projects are ready to be circulated to the

member states by the end of 2005 and inform the General Secretariat of OIC and

COMCEC Coordination Office accordingly.

10. The Committee also agreed that all the Projects which envisaged the

involvement of the private sector could be sent to the ICCI, who would in turn, submit

them, to the private sector through its meetings.

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Under Agenda Item 2 :

11. The COMCEC Coordination Office (CCO), gave a presentation on the demarches undertaken with regards to the evaluation and follow-up of the outcome of the OIC Economic Conference held on the sideline of the 20th Session of COMCEC Meeting in November, 2004.

12. The Committee, following an in-depth discussion, agreed on the following;

- to harmonise the holding of the business forums/economic conferences so

as to avoid overlapping,

- OIC Institutions should give their feedback to the COMCEC Coordination

Office regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Final

Communique of the Economic Conference,

- to put the text of the Final Communique of OIC Economic

Conferences/Business Forums on the web-site of the OIC Institutions,

- to call upon ICCI to streamline all the private sector based recommendations of these fora, in order to facilitate their implementation. The public sector related recommendations will be submitted to the next Islamic Commission and the ICFM.

- the Committee welcomed the support of IDB for the implementation of the

recommendations.

13. The 7th Meeting of the Sessional Committee of COMCEC concluded its

works by expressing its appreciation to the Chair and to the participants.

195


LIST OF THE PROJECT PROPOSALS

Serial No

I-

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

II-

7.

8.

9.

10.

Hi

l l .

12. 13.

14.

Project Proposals/Ideas

TECHNICAL COOPERATION

Technical Cooperation Among Patent Offices in the OIC Member States

Technical Cooperation in the area of Business Incubators Among OIC Member States.

Cooperation in the area of Technical Development: Medium Range Regional Turbofan Airliner.

Provision of Technical Assistance for Establishment of Technology Development Foundation in the OIC Member States.

Low Cost Imaging Based Mapping System Applications for Monitoring of Natural and Anthropogenic changes in OIC Member Countries Coasts

World Gold Markets and Cooperation Possibilities among Islamic countries

FOREIGN TRADE

Trade Facilitation Services to be Provided by the National Chambers of the Member Countries.

Import Management Facilities to be Provided by the National Chambers of the Member Countries.

Setting up of Regional Companies Specialized in Organization of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions.

Setting up of Permanent Exhibition Halls.

ADDITIONAL PROJECTS

Establishment of Energy Technology Network (en-tech-net)

Satellite Control and Monitoring Centre (SATCMC) Low Earth Orbit Satellite

Creation of a Network of Cross-border Parks and Reserves in West Africa

Proposing State/ Institution

Turkey

Turkey

Turkey

Turkey

Turkey

Turkey

1CCI

ICCI

ICDT

ICDT

Turkey

Turkey Turkey

Guinea

Interested Country

Kazakhstan, Syria. Morocco Bangladesh, Pakistan and Yemen

Kazakhstan

Burkino Faso

Turkey Turkey Gambia, Guinea Bissau. Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone

Coordinator

ICDT

ICCI

1UT

IUT

SESRTCIC

ICDT

196

ANNEX

12


Original: English

REPORT OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATING

COMMITTEE FOR ESTABLISHING THE TRADE PREFERENTIAL SYSTEM AMONG THE MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE OIC (TPS-OIC)


1. The Special Session of the Trade Negotiating Committee set up under the Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System among the Member Countries of the OIC (TPS-OIC), was held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 23 November 2005.

2. Representatives of the following Member States that have ratified the Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System among the Member Countries of the OIC attended the meeting:

- People's Republic of Bangladesh

- Republic of Cameroon - Arab Republic of Egypt

- Republic of Guinea Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

- Republic of Lebanon - The Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya - Malaysia - Islamic Republic of Pakistan - Republic of Senegal - Arab Republic of Syria

- Republic of Tunisia - Republic of Turkey

- Republic of Uganda

- United Arab Emirates

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3. Representatives of the following OIC Member States that have not yet signed or ratified the Framework Agreement on TPS-OIC attended the meeting as observers:

- People's Democratic Republic of Algeria - Republic of Azerbaijan - Brunei Darussalam - Republic of Gambia

- Republic of Indonesia (Signatory) - Republic of Iraq (Signatory)

- State of Kuwait (Signatory)

- Republic of Mali - Kingdom of Morocco - Federal Republic of Nigeria (Signatory)

- Sultanate of Oman - State of Qatar (Signatory) - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Signatory) - Republic of Sierra Leone - Republic of Sudan (Signatory) - Republic of Yemen

4. Representatives of the General Secretariat of OIC and the following

organizations also attended the meeting:

- COMCEC Coordination Office (as a member of the TNC Secretariat)

- Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)

- Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT) (as a member of the TNC Secretariat)

- Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

- Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRTCIC)

5. Representatives of the following states that have observer status at OIC also

attended the meeting.

200


- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

- Macedonia

- Russia

(Copy of the List of Participants is attached as Annex I.)

Opening Session

6. The Meeting was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Ahmet TIKTIK, Undersecretary of State Planning Organization of the Republic of Turkey.

7. Welcoming all the delegates, H.E. Ahmet TIKTIK stated that the OIC community had recognized the importance of economic and commercial cooperation in promoting the welfare of the Member States H.E. TIKTIK also congratulated the Arab Republic of Syria and the State of United Arab Emirates for becoming, by ratifying the Framework Agreement on TPSOIC, the new members of TNC. He pointed out that, having reached the end of the first round, Member States need to finalize the Draft Protocol on Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPSOIC and called on the Member States of the TNC to work at the Special Session towards this end.

8. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Tevfik MENGÜ, General Director at the

Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade of Turkey.

Adoption of Agenda

9. The TNC adopted the agenda of the Special Session as proposed by the Secretariat.

Presentation by the Secretariat of the TNC

10. In its presentation addressed to the meeting the TNC Secretariat

summarized the recent developments in the area of TPSOIC trade negotiations,

and drew attention to some important decisions taken by the TNC at its fourth

201

Annex 12 to 0IC/C0MCEC/21-05/REP

meeting. The Secretariat also proposed that the TNC would meet in 2006 to tackle aspects of PRETAS pertaining to its implementation, such as rules of origin para-tariffs, non-tariff barriers and other trade-related issues.

Consideration of the Draft Protocol on the Preferential Tariff Scheme for the TPS-OIC (PRETAS)

11. The TNC, at the Special Session, worked on finalizing the Protocol on the Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC (PRETAS), deliberating on the issues left in the previous meeting. Taking into considerations the concerns expressed by the LDCs for a longer transition period and the need to harmonize trade remedy measures, the TNC modified the Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 of the PRETAS drafted in the 4th TNC Meeting.

12. The TNC took note of the view expressed by the delegation of Senegal concerning its difficulties in signing the PRETAS because of their country's membership of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAMEU), which is a customs union with an external common tariff. Therefore, they need to make the necessary consultations with the members of WAMEU regarding the signature of PRETAS.

Adoption of the Protocol on the Preferential Tariff Scheme for the TPS-OIC (PRETAS)

13. The TNC adopted the final version of the PRETAS, and decided to submit

it to the 21st Ministerial Session of the COMCEC for signing.

14. The TNC decided that the countries that would sign the PRETAS expedite its ratification and notify the Secretariat of their specific annual installments of reduction along with the list of the products within three months from the date of entry into force of the PRETAS.

202


Any Other Business

15. The TNC decided to hold meetings on regular basis to finalize the remaining trade-related issues in order to operationalize the PRETAS. However, the representative of the Republic of Turkey urged that rules of origin should be negotiated on priority.

16. The TNC called upon the OIC Member States that have not yet done so to

sign and ratify the Framework Agreement on TPS-OIC.

Date and venue of the next meeting of TNC

17. The TNC decided that the Secretariat would communicate with the TNC Members regarding the date and venue of the next meeting of the TNC.

18. The member countries that wish to host the next round of trade negotiations

are invited to inform the Secretariat by the end of 2005.

Closing Remarks

19. At the end of the Special Session of the TNC, the Participating States conveyed their thanks and appreciation to the Republic of Turkey for the excellent arrangements made for this Meeting and the warm hospitality provided to them during their stay in the historical city of Istanbul.

203

ANNEX

13


Original : English

PROTOCOL ON THE PREFERENTIAL TARIFF SCHEME FOR TPS-OIC (PRETAS)

PREAMBLE

The members of the Trade Negotiating Committee for establishing the Trade

Preferential System Among the member states of OIC (TPS-OIC); People's Republic

of Bangladesh, Republic of Cameroon, Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Guinea.

Islamic Republic of Iran, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Republic of Lebanon, The

Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Islamic Republic of

Pakistan, Republic of Senegal, Syrian Arab Republic, Republic of Tunisia. Republic of

Turkey, Republic of Uganda, State of the United Arab Emirates.

In compliance with the objectives of the OIC's Charter;

Taking into consideration the Resolutions of the Standing Committee for

Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) which recommend the setting up

of a trade preferential system among the member states of OIC, and the Plan of Action

adopted by the Third and Seventh Islamic Summit for enhanced economic cooperation

among the member states;

In pursuance of the aims and principles of the Framework Agreement on Trade

Preferential System Among the Member States of the Organization of Islamic

Conference;

Recalling the Ministerial Declaration of COMCEC on launching the first round

of trade negotiations at its 19th Session;

Convinced of the essential role of trade in achieving a higher degree of

economic cooperation, expansion of production and investment opportunities as well

as promoting welfare among the OIC member states;

Recognizing the special needs of the Least Developed Member States of OIC;

Giving due regard to the bilateral and multilateral commitments of individual

member states;

207


Noting the desire of some of the Participating States to pursue the optional fast track tariff reduction schedule;

Emphasizing the necessity of holding successive rounds of trade negotiations in

order to expand, improve, and strengthen the Trade Preferential System among the

OIC member states;

Reaffirming their commitment to attain the objectives of this Protocol by giving

due attention to the procedures and timetables for implementation;

Have agreed on the following:

Article 1

Definitions

For the purpose of this Protocol, the following terms and references shall mean:

1. OIC: Organization of the Islamic Conference;

2. COMCEC: The Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial

Cooperation among the member states of OIC;

3. TNC Negotiating Committee: The Committee within the framework of which

rounds of negotiations on trade preferences are held among Participating States;

4. TPS-OIC: The Trade Preferential System Among the Member States of the

Organization of the Islamic Conference;

5. Framework Agreement: The Framework Agreement on the Trade Preferential

System Among the Member States of OIC;

6. Protocol: The Protocol on the Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC;

7. PRETAS: Preferential Tariff Scheme to be applied among the Participating

States in accordance with this Protocol;

208


8. Member States: The Member States of OIC;

9. Contracting States: The OIC Member States parties to the Framework Agreement;

10. Participating States: The Contracting States which have signed, ratified, and implemented the Protocol;

11. Least Developed Countries: The OIC Member States designated as Least Developed Countries by the United Nations, unless otherwise decided by the COMCEC;

12. Tariffs: Customs duties as stipulated in the national tariff schedules;

It is agreed that for some participating countries, tariffs may also refer to import duties stipulated in their national tariff schedule.

13. Para-tariffs: Border charges and fees, other than tariffs, on foreign trade transactions of a tariff-like effect which are levied solely on imports, but not those indirect taxes and charges, which are levied in the same manner on like domestic products. Import charges corresponding to specific services rendered are not considered as para-tariff measures;

It is agreed upon that border charges refer to all charges and fees, other than tariffs, imposed on import.

14. Non-tariff barriers: Any measure, regulation, or practice, other than "tariffs" and "para-tariffs," the effect of which is to restrict imports, or to significantly distort trade;

15. Negative List: The list of products, identified at HS level of the National Tariff Codes of the Participating States, that shall not be subject to tariff reduction under the PRETAS.

209


Article 2

General Provisions

1. Products to be included in the PRETAS shall be identified at HS level of the National Tariff Codes of the Participating States.

2. The base rate of the tariffs to be used for reduction shall be the MFN applied

rate applicable on October 1 s t , 2003.

Upon entry into force of the PRETAS, no new tariffs on imports shall be

introduced on products which are subject to tariff reduction nor shall those

already applied be increased, in face of Participating States in this Protocol in

trade among the participating states.

The least developed countries shall be given a three year grace period for the

tariff reduction on products covered by the PRETAS, as of the date of

implementation.

Other participating states, facing unusual situations, may be allowed upon request of the State and approval of COMCEC, to benefit from the same grace period as of the date of implementation.

Article 3

Tariff Reduction Programme

1. For the purpose of tariff reduction each Participating State shall cover 7% of its

total HS lines identified at HS level of National Tariff Codes. Any Participating

State, whose 90% and above of its total tariff lines estimated at the base rate are

between 0% and 10%, shall only cover 1% of the same total HS lines.

2. The 7% of total HS lines referred to in Paragraph 1 shall only include lines with tariff above 10%.

210


3. Tariffs on the 7% of total HS lines referred to in paragraph 1 and having tariffs:

a) above 25% shall be reduced to 25%

b) above 15% and up to 25% shall be reduced to 15%

c) above 10% and up to 15% shall be reduced to 10%

in six annual installments by the Least Developed Countries and in four annual

installments by the other countries, beginning from the date of coming into

force of the PRETAS.

4. Participating States shall notify the TNC Secretariat of their specific annual

installments of reduction along with the list of products within three months,

from the date of entry into force of this Protocol.

Article 4

Voluntary Fast Track Tariff Reduction Schedule

1. Notwithstanding relevant articles of this Protocol and in accordance with

Article 6 (2) of the Framework Agreement on TPS-OIC, Participating States

desiring to further deepen the concessions, may do so on voluntary basis among

themselves. The Participating States willing to join the Fast Track Tariff

Reduction will notify the TNC Secretariat within three months after coming

into force of the PRETAS.

2. The Schedule of Tariff reduction shall involve all products other than those

under the negative list. The negative list shall not exceed:

a) 25% of all MS tariff lines plus lines with tariffs 10% and below for

developing countries whose average tariff rate is 20% and above;

b) 20% of all IIS tariff lines plus lines with tariffs 10% and below for

developing countries whose average tariff rate is between 15% and 20%;

c) 15% of all HS tariff lines for developing countries whose average tariff is

below 15%.

d) 30% of all HS tariff lines for LDCs.

211


3. Tariff shall be reduced by applying margin of preference on current MFN

applied rate at HS level of National Tariff Codes.

4. Margin of preference shall be increased to 50% in five installments beginning

from the ninetieth day of entry into force of this Protocol while the LDCs shall

implement the program in seven installments.

5. The developing countries shall increase the margin of preference to 50% for the

products of LDCs in 3 installments.

6. At the beginning of the fifth year of the date of implementation of this voluntary

fast track schedule or earlier, Participating States may emer into negotiations

with a view to expanding the product coverage and deepening the concessions.

Article 5

Rules of Origin

Products traded among the participating states shall be eligible for preferential

treatment if they meet the rules of origin, annexed to the Framework Agreement

(Annex III), until new rules of origin are adopted by the Trade Negotiating Committee.

Article 6

Removal of Para-tariffs

1. Participating States shall eliminate upon entry into force of this Protocol, and in

the case of LDCs within three years, their Para-Tariffs on the products which are

subject to reduction. This period for LDCs may be extended, if a request is made to

and approved by TNC.

2. Upon entry into force of this Protocol no new Para-Tariffs shall be introduced,

nor shall those already applied be increased, on the products which are subject to tariff

reduction.

212


Article 7

Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers

1. Participating States shall eliminate, upon entry into force of this Protocol, and

in the case of LDCs within three years, their non-tariff barriers on the products

which are subject to tariff reduction. This period for LDCs may be extended, if

a request is made to and approved by TNC.

2. Upon entry into force of this Protocol no new Non-Tariffs Barriers shall be

introduced, nor shall those already applied be increased, on the products which

are subject to tariff reduction.

Article 8

Anti-dumping, Subsidies and Countervailing Measures

If a party finds that subsidies granted significantly distort trade with another

party, or that dumping is taking place in trade with that party, the party concerned may

take appropriate measures consistent with relevant WTO rules.

Article 9

Safeguard Measures

Before applying safeguard measures, the Party intending to apply such measure

shall supply the Trade Negotiating Committee with all relevant information required

for a thorough examination ;if the situation with a view to seeking a solution

acceptable to the Parties. In ortk-< lo find such a solution, the Parties shall immediately

hold consultations within the Trade Negotiating Committee. If, as a result of the

consultations, the parties do not reach an agreement within thirty days, the Party may-

apply safeguard measures consistent with relevant WTO rules.

213


Article 10

Review of the Protocol

In pursuance of the purposes and principles laid out in Article 2 (6, 9) of the

Framework Agreement, and guided by experience for the activation of TPS-OIC, the

Protocol shall be reviewed periodically.

Article 11

Institutional Structure

1. COMCEC shall supervise the overall implementation of the PRETAS Protocol

in accordance with the provisions set forth in Article 13 of the Framework

Agreement.

2. The Trade Negotiating Committee shall be responsible for the implementation

of the PRETAS Protocol and the smooth functioning of the TPS-OIC. The

Trade Negotiating Committee shall cam' out its functions in accordance with

Article 13 of the Framework Agreement and its Rules of Procedure adopted at

the 19lh COMCEC Session.

3. The Trade Negotiating Committee shall hold regular meetings with a view to

fulfilling its mandate stemming from the Protocol and the Framework

Agreement, to clarify and incorporate trade-related issues, and to help develop

and expand the TPS-OIC.

Article 12

Final Provisions

1. The Framework Agreement shall be a reference document in terms of issues not

included in the PRETAS Protocol.

2. The Protocol shall enter into force on the ninetieth day of the date of receipt by

the depository of instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval by at least

10 governments of the Participating States. Subsequent accession to this

protocol by any Contracting State shall be effective one month after the date on

which it has deposited its instrument of ratification.

214


3. The General Secretariat of the OIC shall be the depository of the Protocol. The General Secretariat shall notify all Participating or Contracting States that have signed the Protocol of the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, or approval, the entry into force of the Protocol, any other act or notification relating to the Protocol or to its validity.

This Agreement is done in the Arabic, English and French languages each text being equally authentic. In case of discrepancy in interpretation, the English version shall prevail.

215


PROTOCOL ON THE PREFERENTIAL TARIFF SCHEME FOR TPS-OIC (PRETAS)

NAME OF COUNTRY DATE SIGNATURE

1- People's Republic of Bangladesh

2- Republic of Cameroon

3- Arab Republic of Egypt

4- Republic of Guinea

5- Islamic Republic of Iran

6- Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

7- Republic of Lebanon

8- The Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

9- Malaysia

10- Islamic Republic of Pakistan

11 - Republic of Senegal

12- Syrian Arab Republic

13- Republic of Tunisia

14- Republic of Turkey

15- Republic of Uganda

16- State of the United Arab Emirates

216

ANNEX

14


Original: English

MESSAGE BY H. E. PROF. EKMELEDDIN İHSANOĞLU, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE

ISLAMIC CONFERENCE AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY


On behalf of His Excellency Prof. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, the Secretary

General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), I would like to

express my greetings and deep respects. H.E. the Secretary General could not

take part in this Session since he, at the moment, is attending the meeting ol'the

Governing Board of the Islamic Research Centre for History, Art and Culture

(IRCICA).

It is a great honour for me, to represent H.E. the Secretary General of the

OIC here at the Closing Ceremony of the 21 s 1 Session of the COMCEC.

Now, with your permission, I would like to read out the message of His

Excellency Prof. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, the Secretary General of the OIC.

QUOTE,

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

H.E. Dr. Abdullatif Şener, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State ol'the

Republic of Turkey,

Excellencies, Ministers,


Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

At the close of this 21 s t Session of the COMCEC, I would like to thank

all the Ministers, Heads of delegation and the delegates for their sincere efforts

to arrive at a number of important decisions.

219


Mr. Chairman,

During this Session, we have taken important decisions concerning the process of implementation of the OIC Plan of Action for the development of economic and commercial cooperation among the Member States.

In particular, relating to the Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System among the Member States (TPSOIC), we have gone one important step forward by adopting the final version of the Protocol on the Preferential Tariff Scheme (PRETAS). We have also observed with great satisfaction that three member countries, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Turkey, signed this important document. Happily, the other participating countries also expressed their intention to sign this Protocol as soon as possible.

All these developments further contribute to the positive atmosphere before us and increase our hopes for achieving a more intensified trade and economic relations among our brotherly nations. In this connection, I would like state that all the OIC Member States should participate in this System as soon as possible. This way, I hope that the whole OIC family will be able to commence discussing the means and modalities of establishing a Free Trade Area among themselves in the near future. It is one of the main goals of COMCEC and recently reiterated by the Muslim scholars met in Makkah Al Mukarramah in September 2005. Therefore, I repeat my appeal to the Member States that have not yet signed and ratified this Framework Agreement and the PRETAS, to do so at an early date.

In this regard, I would also like to express my satisfaction that the adherence to the Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System among the Member States has also increased from 14 to 16 by its ratification by two more members, namely, the Syrian Arab Republic and the United Arab Emirates. I do hope that this will be followed by further signatures and ratifications in the near future. In this regard, I would like to thank, once again, the Republic of Turkey for successfully hosting and chairing the first round of trade negotiations under the Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential System among the Islamic Countries.

220


During our deliberations on the theme of "Role of Tourism in the Promotion of Economic Cooperation among the Member States", we have listed with great interest the encouraging developments experienced in Member States. We have also endorsed a set of important recommendations that emerged from the workshop on the same topic held in Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco, on 14-15 June 2005.1 hope we will be able to follow up and evaluate the outcome of these recommendations and the resolutions adopted at the earlier conferences of Tourism Ministers in September 2006 when the 5th

Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers is scheduled to be held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan. In this connection, I would like to extend my deep gratitude and appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan for their kind support and keen interest in the activities of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

I would like to reiterate my appeal to all OIC Member States to urgently extend all possible material and humanitarian assistance and support to the brotherly Government and the people of Pakistan in overcoming the catastrophic impact of this earthquake and in alleviating the sufferings of the affected victims. I believe that the OIC Member States and its institutions will continue to be at the forefront to provide financial and technical assistance to Pakistan. I further believe that there is an urgent need to create a permanent disaster relief fund at the OIC level to deal with such natural disasters.

Before I conclude, I wish to express, once again, my thanks and appreciation to H.E. Ahmet Necdet Sezer, President of the Republic of Turkey and Chairman of COMCEC for the valuable efforts he exerts and for the wisdom with which he directed our deliberations into successful conclusions during the COMCEC sessions.

I also wish to thank H.E. Dr. Abdullatif Şener for his smooth conduct of this session, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Turkey and for having led it to such a satisfactory conclusion.

I would also like to convey my deep sense of gratitude and appreciation to Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, and Distinguished Delegates who have contributed with great wisdom to the success of this Session.

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I also express my appreciation and congratulations to the COMCEC Coordination Office, for their precious efforts in meticulously organizing the work of the Session, as well as to the OIC subsidiary organs, specialized and affiliated institutions for their hard work and support towards the success of the COMCEC activities. I cannot fail to thank the interpreters the translators and all those who have contributed to the success of our conference.

I also would like to assure you all that the OIC General Secretariat will not spare any efforts in following up and implementing all COMCEC resolutions.

At the end, I pray God Almighty to help us and guide our steps to achieve the prosperity and welfare of the Islamic Ummah. I wish you all a safe travel back home.

Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu

UNQUOTE

Thank you very much,

Wassalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

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ANNEX

15


Original :Turkish

THE TEXT OF THE CLOSING STATEMENT OF H.E. ASSOC. PROF. ABDÜLLATİF ŞENER,

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF STATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY


Honorable Ministers,

Valued Representatives,

I would like to commence by expressing my satisfaction at the successful

conclusion of the 21 s t Session of COMCEC. I hope and believe that COMCEC, with

the contributions and support of the brotherly countries, will help intensify and

consolidate economic and commercial cooperation among our countries and play an

important role in the achievement of our goals.

The 21 s t COMCEC Session was attended by 285 delegates and representatives

from 13 international institutions in 51 countries. I would like to avail this opportunity

to thank the Member States, the valued members of the Islamic Conference and the

relevant institutions, and all the participants that attended our Session for the interest

they showed in and the contribution they made to COMCEC.

Honorable Ministers,


During the session, the latest developments in the world economy have been

evaluated, and comprehensive discussions regarding the effects of these developments

on Islamic countries made.

Activities of COMCEC need to be re-evaluated on a regular basis in order to ensure

their continuity and efficiency, and within this framework, requirements of global

economic and social trends should be appropriately integrated into the scope of our

cooperation.

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Honored Ministers, Valued Representatives,

Tourism, growing in parallel with the rising level of welfare, has been one of the fastest developing sectors in the world. Over the past decade, demand for international tourism increased by 24 percent and expenditures on tourism by 28.3 percent. In 2004, the number of international tourists showed 716 millions, and tourism receipts amounted to $ 536 billion. According to the World Tourism Organization estimates, the number of tourists worldwide is expected to reach 1,5 billion people and total tourism receipts $ 2 trillion in the year 2020.

International tourism activities will not only contribute to the prosperity of our countries which have deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, but also enable our nations to get to know each other better.

COMCEC Member States need to make efforts to facilitate and vitalize tourist flows in line with their own applicable laws and regulations, and promote cooperation among private sector institutions and organizations operating in the tourism sector. Moreover, in order to facilitate exchange of information and cooperation, and strengthen tourism interactions among COMCEC Member States, joint seminars, workshops, exhibitions, culture and art events and other joint activities should be promoted.

This year, the active involvement in the 1st Tourism Fair of Islamic Countries organized simultaneously with COMCEC, by tourism companies side by side with the government representatives of the Member States has yielded significant benefits.

Having reached significant achievements in the tourism industry over the past twenty-five years, Turkey is ready and willing to cooperate and share its experience in a wide range of areas from planning to tourism training, facility investments, promotion activities, and joint product development with the brotherly Islamic countries.

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Honored Ministers,


I am pleased that capacity-building programmes for the alleviation of poverty in the Member States has been discussed during the 21st COMCEC Session. Within this context, I hope our joint efforts to solve the problems encountered by the less developed countries in their combat against poverty and in sustainable development endeavors bear fruit. In line with these goals, we need to build strong partnerships with the private sector and non-governmental organizations.

Honored Ministers,


I would also like to express my satisfaction that "the Protocol on the Trade

Preferential Scheme" under the COMCEC project "Framework Agreement on Trade

Preferential System among the Member States (TPS-OIC)" has been finalized and

signed during this 21st Session of COMCEC. Open to all Islamic countries, this

agreement aiming at liberalizing trade is a very important starting-point. The

agreement sets concrete goals and a calendar for the elimination of trade barriers. I

would also like to congratulate the Member States that signed this Protocol during this

COMCEC Session, and I expect that other related parties that have not signed this

Protocol will do so at the earliest date possible.

Honored Ministers,


The implementation of the Economic Cooperation Action Plan, which is the

basis of COMCEC activities, is only possible with the contributions of the General

Secretariat of the OIC and the invaluable support offered by the relevant institutions. I

would like to call upon all Member States to participate in these projects ad propose

new projects.

Taking into account the growing roles of international institutions in the world

economy, I believe it is meaningful and appropriate that the Organization of Islamic

Conference was identified as the coordinator for the implementation of these valuable

projects proposed within the framework of the Action Plan.

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I would like to thank in anticipation the Member States and OIC institutions for their efforts towards this end. I hope these projects will yield concrete results and contribute significantly to the cooperation among our countries, facilitating the successful implementation of the Action Plan.

Honored Ministers,


In the twenty-first year of its existence, COMCEC, with its concrete projects and regular meetings, has become an institutionalized, successful and economic cooperation forum in the framework of the Organization of Islamic Conference. There is no doubt that all Member States and distinguished participants have a great share in this achievement.

In conclusion, I would like to express my deep appreciation to all delegations,

distinguished press members, the General Secretariat and the related institutions of the

Organization of Islamic Conference that contributed to the success of the Session, for

their valuable support.

Moreover, I would like to thank the staff of the COMCEC Coordination Office,

the support staff, the translators and the interpreters for their meticulous efforts and

dedication.

I hope you have enjoyed your stay in Turkey. Looking forward to seeing you

next year at the Twenty-Second Session of COMCEC, I wish you a good trip home.

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REPORT and RESOLUTIONS OF THE TWENTY ... - COMCEC

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